Fourth Five Year Plan A Preliminary Memorandum

Abstract

With a population of 75 7 millions (in the census of 1961) and an area of 1.14 lakh square miles, Uttar Pradesh is the largest State in the country. The density of population in the State is 649 persons per square mile compared to a density of only 370 persons per square mile in India. The State has a relatively larger rural sector than the rest of the country, about 87 per cent of the population Jiving in villages. Only three States, Bihar, Assam and Orissa are less urbanised than U. P. During the period 1951-61, the population of the State increased by 10.5 millions. The rate of annual growth of population was 1.67 per cent compared to the all-India average of 2.15 per cent. It is estimated that the population of the State will be about 82.4 millions in 1966 and about 89 millions in 1971. The percentage of the population falling within the working age-group of 15—59 years in the State is 54.4 which is almost identical with the corresponding percentage of 54.1 for all-India. However, the total number of workers engaged in different occupations constitutes a much smaller percentage of total population, the figures for U. P. and all-India being 39 per cent and 43 per cent respectively. Thus, due largely to limitation of employment opportunities in the non-agricultural sector, a relatively larger proportion of the working force remains unutilized.