Demographic Characteristics

In Rajasthan Geography, Rajasthan’s diverse population, spanning urban Jaipur and rural Jaisalmer, reflects cultural and economic variations. Per the 2011 Census, its 68 million people shape the state’s social landscape.

Previous Year Question

Demographic Characteristics

• India has surpassed China to become the world’s most populous nation with 142.86 crore people. China has a population of 142.57 crore, according to the UN world population dashboard. 
• Systematic and decadal census was started in 1881 during the period of Lord Ripon. 
• The census is conducted by the Census Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Census 2011 -15th (7th after independence )

• Census Mascot –Lady Enumerator                        
• Census Motto -“Our Census, Our Future”
• First paperless census. 
• Rajasthan has 5.67 % of the total population of India and about 1 % of the total population of the world. 
• Child population (0-6 years) is 15.54% of the total population of Rajasthan. 
• Transgenders were included for the first time and listed under male category.

Rural and Urban population distribution

• Rajasthan’s demographic structure shows a significant rural population, which still forms over three-quarters of the total populace.
• Urbanization is more prominent in districts like Jaipur, Kota, and Jodhpur, where industrialization, education, and employment opportunities have fostered rapid urban growth.
• On the other hand, districts such as Jaisalmer and Pratapgarh remain largely rural due to geographical and developmental factors.

Sex Ratio in Rajasthan

• The number of females per thousand males is called sex ratio. 
• Overall Average Sex Ratio in Rajasthan – 928
• The data highlights gender disparities, particularly in rural areas where socio-economic factors, cultural practices, and preference for male children have adversely affected the female child population.

Maximum Sex Ratio	Minimum Sex Ratio
Dungarpur – 994 Rajsamand – 990 Pali – 987 Pratapgarh – 983	Dholpur – 846 Jaisalmer – 852 Karoli – 861 Bharatpur – 880
Reasons :- Traditional joint family structures.Low per capita income.Low literacy rate. Lack of technical knowledge and facilities (prenatal sex determination and abortions) The Dowry system is not prevalent.	Reasons :- High literacy rate.More income (resulting in nuclear families)Dowry system in practice.Technical advancements, knowledge and facilities.

Rural area Sex Ratio
Maximum	Minimum
Pali – 1003 Rajsamand – 998 Dungarpur – 996	Dholpur – 841 Karauli – 856 Jaisalmer – 859

Urban area Sex Ratio
Maximum	Minimum
Tonk – 985 Banswara – 964 Pratapgarh – 963	Jaisalmer – 807 Dholpur – 864 Alwar – 872

Child Sex Ratio in Rajasthan (928)

• The child sex ratio is the number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0–6 age group.
• Sex ratio in all the districts of Rajasthan is less than 1000. 
• The average sex ratio of Rajasthan (928) is less than the average sex ratio of India (943).

Maximum Child Sex Ratio	Minimum Child Sex Ratio
Banswada – 934 Pratapgarh – 933 Bhilwara – 928 Udaipur – 924	Jhunjhunu – 837 Sikar – 848 Karoli – 852 Ganganagar – 854

Rural area Child Sex Ratio (892)
Maximum	Minimum
Banswara – 937 Pratapgarh – 936 Bhilwara – 933	Jhunjhunu – 832 Sikar – 843 Karauli – 850

Urban area Child Sex Ratio
Maximum	Minimum
Nagaur – 907 Bikaner – 906 Bhilwara – 904	Dholpur – 841 Ganganagar – 842 Dausa – 847

Population Density in Rajasthan

Population density of western Rajasthan districts (desert area) is very low. It is mostly centered around water resources.

Population density (Person/square Km)Less than 100

Jaisalmer (17)Bikaner (78)Barmer (92)

Reasons for low population density in Western Rajasthan:

1. Physical factors: Desert climate, low fertility of soil, xerophytic vegetation, and limited rainfall availability.
2. Economic factors: Limited urbanization, lack of transportation facilities.
3. Social and Cultural factors: Migration to nearby districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan

Density (Persons/square km)	No. of Districts	Districts
1. Highest (more than 400)	04	Jaipur, Bharatpur, Dausa, and Alwar
2. High (300 to 400)	07	Dholpur, Banswara, Kota, Dungarpur, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Ajmer
3. Medium (200 to 300)	07	Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi, Bhilwara, Karoli, Udaipur, Rajsamand, Jhalawar
4. Low (100 to 200)	12	Tonk, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Bundi, Nagaur, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, Baran, Jalore, Pali, Jodhpur, Churu
5. Lowest	03	Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer

National Family Health Survey

The survey is conducted under the stewardship of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to provide estimates of the levels of fertility, infant and child mortality, and other family welfare and health indicators by background characteristics at the national and district levels; and measure trends in family welfare and health indicators over time at the national and district levels.

NFHS has several objectives, including: 

• Providing data on health and population indicators
• Providing data on emerging health and family welfare issues
• Assisting policymakers and program managers in setting benchmarks

Comparative study of various indicators for Rajasthan in survey 4 & 5 :

INDICATOR	4th NFHS	5th NFHS
Institutional births	84	95
Total Fertility Rate	2.4	2.0
Infant mortality rate	41	30
Stunted (height-for-age) under 5	38	32
Wasted (weight-for-height) under 5	21	17
Underweight (weight-for-age)	36	28
Sex Ratio	1009	973
Sex Ratio at Birth	887	891
Immunization (children)	59	80
Women married before 18 years	35.4	25.4
Women having a bank account	–	79

Factors affecting population distribution in Rajasthan

Population distribution in Rajasthan is influenced by several factors, which vary in their impact depending on the region. Some of the key factors include:

1. Climate: Rajasthan is largely arid and semi-arid, with much of the state covered by desert (Thar Desert). The hot and dry climate in areas like Jaisalmer and Barmer discourages dense settlement, while areas with a more favorable climate, such as the regions around Udaipur and Ajmer, have higher population densities.
2. Water Availability: Water resources are limited in Rajasthan. Regions near rivers, lakes, and irrigation sources, like the area around the Chambal River, have higher population concentrations due to better agricultural potential. Areas lacking reliable water sources, such as the desert regions, tend to have lower populations.
3. Topography: Rajasthan has diverse landscapes, including deserts, hills, and plains. Flat plains and fertile areas (like the Aravalli Range’s foothills and the Mewar region) tend to support larger populations due to better land for farming and settlement. The hilly and rugged areas, like those in the Aravalli range, have fewer settlements.
4. Agriculture and Livelihood: Areas with fertile soil, access to irrigation, and favorable climates, like the regions near the Chambal River or areas around Jaipur, tend to have higher population densities. Agriculture plays a significant role in determining where people settle, as it provides livelihood opportunities.
5. Urbanization and Infrastructure: Cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota have higher populations due to better infrastructure, employment opportunities, and urban facilities. People tend to migrate towards these urban centers for better living standards and access to education, healthcare, and other services.
6. Cultural and Historical Factors: Rajasthan has a rich cultural and historical heritage, which has also influenced population distribution. Major historical cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Ajmer attract not just tourists but also residents due to their cultural significance, historical landmarks, and economic opportunities.
7. Government Policies: Development projects, industrial growth, and incentives in certain regions have also contributed to population shifts. For example, the establishment of industries or educational institutions in specific areas can lead to an increase in population.
8. Migration: There is significant internal migration within Rajasthan. People often migrate from rural to urban areas for better employment and living conditions, and some also move from less developed regions to areas with more opportunities.

Together, these factors determine how people are spread across Rajasthan, with some areas being densely populated while others remain sparsely inhabited.

Literacy in Rajasthan

• Person above the age of 6 years, having knowledge of alphabets and able to read and write is called literate.
• Education is key to socio-economic development, and reducing the rural-urban and gender disparities in literacy will contribute to more balanced regional growth.
• The literacy data showcases the educational challenges that Rajasthan faces, particularly in rural areas and among women. Although strides have been made in raising literacy rates, there is a need for continued efforts to bridge the gender gap and improve access to education in underserved regions.
•  In Rajasthan, the literacy rate is significantly influenced by gender and rural-urban divides.
• Overall Literacy Rate of Rajasthan: 66.1%
• Maximum Literacy Rate 
  1. Kota – 76.6% 
  2. Jaipur – 75.5% 
  3. Jhunjhunu – 74.1% 
  4. Sikar – 71.9%
• Minimum Literacy Rate
  1. Jalore – 54.9% 
  2. Sirohi – 55.3% 
  3. Pratapgarh – 56.0% 
  4. Banswara – 56.3% 
• The male literacy rate is significantly higher than the female literacy rate, creating a gender literacy gap of over 27%

Male Literacy Rate: 79.2%

Maximum 

1. Jhunjhunu – 86.9% 
2. Kota – 86.3% 
3. Jaipur – 86.1% 
4. Sikar – 85.1% 

Minimum 

1. Pratapgarh – 69.5% 
2. Banswara – 69.5% 
3. Sirohi – 70.0% 
4. Jalore – 70.7% 

Female Literacy Rate: 52.1%

Maximum 

1. Kota – 65.9% 
2. Jaipur – 64.0% 
3. Jhunjhunu – 61.0% 
4. Ganganagar – 59.7%

Minimum 

1. Jalore – 38.5% 
2. Jaisalmer – 39.7% 
3. Sirohi – 39.7% 
4. Barmer – 40.6%

Rural Literacy Rate: 61.4%

• Maximum – Jhunjhunu 73.3%
• Minimum – Sirohi 49.0%

Urban Literacy Rate: 79.7%

• Maximum – Udaipur 87.5%
• Minimum – Nagaur 70.6 %

Rural and Urban Literacy Divide:

• Maximum Rural Literacy: Jhunjhunu (73.3%)
• Minimum Rural Literacy: Sirohi (49.0%)
• Maximum Urban Literacy: Udaipur (87.5%)
• Minimum Urban Literacy: Jalore (71.1%)

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Rajasthan (2011 Census)

Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST),which  have unique cultural, social, and economic challenges, are integral to understanding any state’s socio-demographic landscape Statistics:

• Percentage of SC Population: 17.8%
• Percentage of ST Population: 13.5%
• SC Population (Absolute Numbers): 122.21 lakh
• ST Population (Absolute Numbers): 92.38 lakh

	Scheduled Castes	Scheduled Tribes
Percentage	17.8 %	13.5 %
Total Population	122.21 Lakh	92.38 Lakh
Sex Ratio	923	948
Maximum Population	1. Jaipur 2. Sri Ganganagar	1. Udaipur 2. Banswara
Maximum Percentage	1. Sri Ganganagar 2. Hanumangarh	1. Banswara 2. Dungarpur
Minimum Population	1. Dungarpur 2. Pratapgarh	1. Bikaner 2. Nagaur
Lowest percentage	1. Dungarpur2. Banswara	1. Nagaur 2. Bikaner

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