The recently released Economic Survey report for Assam 2022-23 has uncovered interesting findings about the state’s population growth, life expectancy, population density, and migration. The report, presented in the ongoing Budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, has highlighted that Assam’s life expectancy at birth is the lowest in the country at 63.9 years. Despite the government’s focus on healthcare and improving medical services, Assam’s life expectancy is lower than the national average of 67.9 years, with Kerala having the highest life expectancy of 74.9 years.
The population in Assam has increased significantly, with a growth rate of 17.06% between 2001-2011. The state ranks fifth in the country in terms of population density, with 398 persons per sq km in 2011, compared to the national average of 368 persons per sq km. This increase in population density has led to migration from rural to urban areas, with the urban population increasing from 12.92% in 2001 to 14% in 2011, while the rural population decreased from 87% in 2001 to 86% in 2011.
This migration has caused problems such as the encroachment of government land, forest land, wetlands, and hills in urban areas. Additionally, the shift in population has led to significant changes in the rural economy, with agricultural activities decreasing due to a loss of labor through migration.
The report also highlighted that the population of Assamese-speaking people has increased by 16.03% during 2001-2011, while Bengali-speaking people have increased by 22.89%, Bodo-speaking people by 9.26%, and Hindi-speaking people by 33.88%. In contrast, the population of Santhali-speaking people decreased by 12.85%, and Punjabi-speaking people by 24.22%.
