Orissa is situated in the east coastal region of the country. It constitutes almost 4.74% of India's geographical area and its population is36.7 million (2001 census), i.e. around 3.57 per cent of India's population. The density of population of the State is 236 persons per sq.km. (2001 census). With only 14.97 per cent
(2001) of the population of the State living in urban areas, the ratio of rural-urban population is one of the lowest among the major States of India.
The population growth rate of Orissa during the decade 1991-2001 was only 15.94 per cent as against 21.34 per cent for all India, and recorded the third lowest growth rate of population among the major Indian States, higher than only Kerala (9.42 %) and Tamilnadu (11.94%).
(2001) of the population of the State living in urban areas, the ratio of rural-urban population is one of the lowest among the major States of India.
The population growth rate of Orissa during the decade 1991-2001 was only 15.94 per cent as against 21.34 per cent for all India, and recorded the third lowest growth rate of population among the major Indian States, higher than only Kerala (9.42 %) and Tamilnadu (11.94%).
The growth rate of population during last three decades in Orissa shows an unsystematic variation. It varied from decade to decade. After independence the growth rate of population during the decade 1941-51 was
only 6.38 per cent, which increased to 19.82 percent during 1951-61. Again it came down to 20.17 per cent during the decade 1971-81 and it has further reduced slightly to 20.06 per cent during1981-91. During the present decade 1991-2001 the growth rate has decreased to 15.94 per cent as against the all India growth rate of 21.34 percent. According to 2001 census, Ganjam district has the maximum population. It is
observed that the decadal growth rate of all districts except Gajapati district during the current decade 1991-2001 is lower than that of 1981-91. The highest decadal growth rate of 24.97% is recorded in the Khurda district while the lowest rate of growth of 8.52% is recorded in Bolangir district. Till 1991 census, there were only 13 districts in Orissa. During the 1991-2001 decade, the number of district increased to 30 with only 3 districts, namely Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj continued to be as they were while the remaining 10 districts were divided into 27 districts.
only 6.38 per cent, which increased to 19.82 percent during 1951-61. Again it came down to 20.17 per cent during the decade 1971-81 and it has further reduced slightly to 20.06 per cent during1981-91. During the present decade 1991-2001 the growth rate has decreased to 15.94 per cent as against the all India growth rate of 21.34 percent. According to 2001 census, Ganjam district has the maximum population. It is
observed that the decadal growth rate of all districts except Gajapati district during the current decade 1991-2001 is lower than that of 1981-91. The highest decadal growth rate of 24.97% is recorded in the Khurda district while the lowest rate of growth of 8.52% is recorded in Bolangir district. Till 1991 census, there were only 13 districts in Orissa. During the 1991-2001 decade, the number of district increased to 30 with only 3 districts, namely Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj continued to be as they were while the remaining 10 districts were divided into 27 districts.
In terms of urbanisation, Orissa is one of
the least urbanised States in the country. It is evident from table no.1 that
the proportion of total urban population to the total population of Orissa is
about 14.97 percent, which is very low as compared to other States of the
country.
A comparative study among the districts of
Orissa reveals Khurda to be the most urbanised district in the State. This is
due to the fact that Bhubaneswar town is said to be an administrative centre
with people mostly engaged in non-agricultural activities. The Bhubaneswar (M.
Corp) itself has 100 per cent urban population (648,032), which is quite high
as compared to the proportion of the total population of the district.
Past records also reflect that Bhubaneswar
town has got a very high growth rate of population since 1971-81(107.80%) and
1981-91(87.74%). This is obvious due to the migration from all parts of the
State to the capital in search of jobs and better education.
The districts of Nayagarh (4.3%) and
Jajpur(4.5%) have the least percentage of urbanisation as per 2001 census
records. Jajpur has so less urban population as the district has a large number
of suburban settlements like Sukinda, Korai, Mangalpur, Binjharpur, Balichandrapur, Badachanna and Dharmasala.
The maximum urban population in the whole of Jajpur district is in Jajpur Road,
i.e. 40,741. Along the coastal belt, only Ganjam and
Puri districts have more than 10% urban population, though Ganjam district has
the highest population in the whole of Orissa. The major urban centre in the district is
Brahmapur(M) which is a Class I town with an urban population of 30,7792. Puri
district, which is famous as a place of pilgrimage, contributes an urban
population of only 13.6 % in 2001 as compared to 19.76 % till
1991 .The reason for such a decadal fall of urban population in Puri district
can be related to the reshuffling of towns in the district directory and
addition of new districts. Earlier Bhubaneswar town, which is one of the major
urban centres in the map of Orissa, was a part of Puri district. The number of towns in Orissa has grown by
almost one and a half times since 1971. lt is interesting to note that more
than 50% of the towns in Orissa have a
population of below 20,000. One of the major reasons for such a low urban
population distribution is because of the fact that Orissa has an agrarian base
and even today more than 70% of the population is dependent on agriculture for
their livelihood. The decadal growth of urban population from 1981-1991 has
been good due to the stabilized political scenario and emergence of some new
corporate sectors in the major cities and towns of Orissa. The distribution of
the urbanised population in terms of the various classes of towns in Orissa is
as follows :
Among Class I towns, Bhubaneswar (M.Corp.) and Cuttack have the maximum population. In case of Rourkela, which stands third in the list of Class I towns, has undergone a tremendous decrease in the growth rate from 87.02% in 1971-81 to 23.58% in 1981-91. Such a fall may be because of the sick condition
of Rourkela Steel plant (RSP). RSP, which was at one time, a major employment provider to 5 Orissa Review * November - 2004 lot of people all over the State as well as neighbouring States, is in deteriorating since last 12 years despite little improvements this year.
of Rourkela Steel plant (RSP). RSP, which was at one time, a major employment provider to 5 Orissa Review * November - 2004 lot of people all over the State as well as neighbouring States, is in deteriorating since last 12 years despite little improvements this year.
Class II Towns (50,000-99,999)
There has always been a fall in the growth rate in the Class II towns in the State. The major Class II towns are Bhadrak, Bolangir, Baripada, Jeypore, Brajarajnagar, Jharsuguda, Sunabeda, Bargarh, Bhawanipatna
and Jatani. It has been observed that there is a continuous migration of population from these Class II towns to Class I towns for jobs and education. Bhubaneswar being the capital, all the institutes and corporate sectors are setting their base over there. So there is a natural tendency of people to migrate from smaller towns to capital.
There has always been a fall in the growth rate in the Class II towns in the State. The major Class II towns are Bhadrak, Bolangir, Baripada, Jeypore, Brajarajnagar, Jharsuguda, Sunabeda, Bargarh, Bhawanipatna
and Jatani. It has been observed that there is a continuous migration of population from these Class II towns to Class I towns for jobs and education. Bhubaneswar being the capital, all the institutes and corporate sectors are setting their base over there. So there is a natural tendency of people to migrate from smaller towns to capital.
Class III Towns (20,000-49,999)
Majority of Class III towns in Orissa are the result of rural outgrowth. In course of time, some industrial activities have given some boost to the employment and economy generation developing the rural areas into urban centres. The major Class III towns of the State are Rayagada, Paradip, Dhenkanal, Barbil, Keonjhar, Rajgangapur and Parlakhemundi.
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