Assam has lowest life expectancy in India; population density above national average
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The recent report of the Economic Survey, Assam 2022-23 has revealed interesting data about Assam’s population growth, life expectancy, population density and migration of population. According to the report which was placed in the Assam Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Budget session, life expectancy at birth in the State is the lowest in the country while Assam’s density of population is higher than the all-India level.
As per the report of the Economic Survey, the life expectancy at birth in Assam is the lowest in the country - 63.9 years, whereas the average life expectancy at birth in the country is 67.9 years. Sources said that despite the Assam Government’s thrust on the health sector and the steps taken to provide healthcare and improve people’s access to medical services, Assam’s life expectancy at birth was lower than the average life expectancy in the country. Kerala has the highest life expectancy at birth-74.9 years.
But Assam has witnessed a growth in population. The decade growth of population in Assam during the period from 2001-2011 increased by 17.06%. The State ranks fifth in the country in terms of density of population (total population per sq km). The population density of Assam was 340 persons per square km in 2001. It increased to 398 persons per sq km in 2011. This was comparatively higher than the national average, which was 368 persons per sq km in 2011. According to these figures, on an average there are 58 more persons per sq km in Assam as compared to a decade ago.
With increase in population density, over the decade, Assam also witnessed a significant population migration from rural areas to urban areas. In 2001, Assam’s urban population was 12.92%. This increased to 14% in 2011. On the other hand, the State’s rural population decreased from 87% in 2001 to 86% in 2011.
Sources said that this unplanned flow of rural population to urban areas has led to problems like encroachment of government land, forest land, wetlands, and hills in the urban areas. On the other hand, the population migration has brought about significant changes in the rural economy. Assam’s rural economy is dependent on agriculture. But with rural people moving to the urban areas in search of better livelihood opportunities, agricultural activities have decreased. Loss of labour through migration has decreased agricultural production.
According to the report of the Economic Survey, the population of Assamese-speaking people in the State has witnessed an increase of 16.03% during 2001-2011. The population of Bengali-speaking people has increased by 22.89%, Bodo-speaking people by 9.26% and Hindi-speaking people by 33.88%. On the other hand, the population of Santhali-speaking people decreased by 12.85% and Punjabi-speaking people by 24.22%.
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