Himachal Pradesh Districts
Comparative Analysis based on Census 2011 Data
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA (km²)
| Rank | District | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lahaul & Spiti | 13,835 |
| 2 | Chamba | 6,522 |
| 3 | Kinnaur | 6,401 |
| 4 | Kangra | 5,739 |
| 5 | Kullu | 5,503 |
| 6 | Shimla | 5,131 |
| 7 | Mandi | 3,950 |
| 8 | Sirmaur | 2,825 |
| 9 | Solan | 1,936 |
| 10 | Una | 1,540 |
| 11 | Bilaspur | 1,167 |
| 12 | Hamirpur | 1,118 |
POPULATION
| Rank | District | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kangra | 1,510,075 |
| 2 | Mandi | 999,777 |
| 3 | Shimla | 814,010 |
| 4 | Solan | 580,320 |
| 5 | Sirmaur | 529,855 |
| 6 | Una | 521,173 |
| 7 | Chamba | 519,080 |
| 8 | Hamirpur | 454,768 |
| 9 | Kullu | 437,903 |
| 10 | Bilaspur | 381,956 |
| 11 | Kinnaur | 84,121 |
| 12 | Lahaul & Spiti | 31,564 |
LITERACY RATE (%)
| Rank | District | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamirpur | 88.15% |
| 2 | Una | 86.53% |
| 3 | Kangra | 85.67% |
| 4 | Bilaspur | 84.59% |
| 5 | Solan | 83.68% |
| 6 | Shimla | 83.64% |
| 7 | Mandi | 81.53% |
| 8 | Kinnaur | 80.00% |
| 9 | Kullu | 79.40% |
| 10 | Sirmaur | 78.80% |
| 11 | Lahaul & Spiti | 76.81% |
| 12 | Chamba | 72.17% |
HPAS Notes: Demographic Profile (Census 2011)
1. State Overview (Population & Growth)
| Indicator | Value (Approx) | Percentage / Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | ~68.6 Lakh (Exact: 68,64,602) |
Reference Date: 1st March 2011 |
| Male Population | ~34.8 Lakh (Exact: 34,81,873) |
50.67% |
| Female Population | ~33.8 Lakh (Exact: 33,82,729) |
49.29% |
| Decadal Growth (2001-2011) |
+7.9 Lakh (Exact: +7,86,702) |
Rate: 12.94% (Down from 17.54% in previous decade) |
2. National Context
HP’s Position in India
- Share of India’s Population: HP constitutes 0.57% of the country’s total population.
- National Rank: The state ranks 21st position amongst all states and union territories.
3. District-wise Analysis
| District Category | District Name | Key Data points |
|---|---|---|
| Most Populous | Kangra | ~15.2 Lakh people (Exact: 15,17,075). Accounts for 22% of the total state population. |
| Population Concentration | Kangra, Mandi, Shimla | About 50% (Half) of the state’s population is concentrated in these three districts alone. |
4. Ranking Shifts (2001 vs 2011)
Who moved Up and Down?
The hierarchy of districts by population size changed significantly in this decade:
- Improved Position (Moved Up):
- Sirmaur: Moved to 5th place (was 6th in 2001).
- Una: Moved to 6th place (was 7th in 2001).
- Declined Position (Moved Down):
- Chamba: Moved down to 7th position (was 5th in 2001).
HPAS Notes: Sex Ratio – Complete Analysis (Census 2011)
1. State & National Comparison
Definition: Number of females per 1,000 males.
| Comparison | 2001 Census | 2011 Census | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himachal Pradesh | 968 | 972 | Slight improvement (+4 points) |
| India (National) | – | 940 | HP is comparatively better than the national average |
2. Historical Trend (1901 – 2011)
The Century of Change
- Lowest Ever (1901): The sex ratio was at its lowest at 884 in 1901.
- The 900 Mark (1951): It crossed the mark of 900 females in the 1951 Census.
- The Peak (1991): It reached a maximum value of 976 in 1991, termed as the “ideal ratio” in the state.
- Recent Fluctuation: It slightly came down to 968 in 2001 before rising again to 972 in 2011.
3. District Rankings (The Top Tier)
In 2001, three districts had a sex ratio above the parity line (1,000+). The trend continues in 2011.
| Rank | District | 2001 Ratio | 2011 Ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Hamirpur | 1,099 | 1,096 | Retained Top Position |
| 2nd | Kangra | 1,025 | ~1,025+ | Maintained 2nd Rank |
| 3rd | Mandi | 1,013 | – | (Implied maintenance of high rank) |
4. Tribal & Border Districts (The “Selective Migration” Factor)
Why do Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti fluctuate?
The pattern in these districts differs from the state average due to “selective migration” (likely male labor migration):
- Lahaul & Spiti (The Recovery):
- Historical Lows: Recorded 767 (1981) and 802 (2001), which was the lowest in the state.
- 2011 Turnaround: Much improvement was seen, rising to 903.
- Rank Jump: Moved from 12th position (bottom) to 8th position.
- Kinnaur (The Decline):
- 2001: Had a ratio of 857.
- 2011: Fell significantly to 818 (or 819).
- Rank Drop: Now occupies the 12th (lowest) position among all districts.
5. Other Significant Shifts (2001 vs 2011)
Winners and Losers
- Shimla: Marginally improved from 896 (2001) to 915 (2011).
- Solan: Was at 852 in 2001; continues to keep its rank intact.
- Bilaspur: Declined from 990 (2001) to 981 (2011).
- Una vs. Chamba:
- Una: Relegated to 6th position (was 4th in 2001).
- Chamba: Took Una’s place (moved up).
District-wise Sex Ratio (2011 vs 2001)
| Rank | District | 2011 Ratio | 2001 Ratio | Change | Remark (For Memorisation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamirpur | 1,095 | 1,099 | ▼ -4 | The Undisputed King. Almost 1100! Retains Top Rank. |
| 2 | Kangra | 1,012 | 1,025 | ▼ -13 | The Silver Medalist. Still in the "1000 Club" despite a dip. |
| 3 | Mandi | 1,007 | 1,013 | ▼ -6 | The Last of the 1000s. Completes the top trio above parity. |
| 4 | Chamba | 986 | 959 | ▲ +27 | The Rising Star. Big jump! Replaced Una for the 4th spot. |
| 5 | Bilaspur | 981 | 990 | ▼ -9 | The Slider. Slipped down, lost 9 points. |
| 6 | Una | 976 | 997 | ▼ -21 | The Big Fall. Dropped from Rank 4 to 6. Almost lost 20 points! |
| 7 | Kullu | 942 | 927 | ▲ +15 | Steady Climber. Decent improvement, keeps Rank 7. |
| 8 | Sirmaur | 918 | 901 | ▲ +17 | Crossing the 900s. Improved well from 2001. |
| 9 | Shimla | 915 | 896 | ▲ +19 | Capital Gains. Finally crossed the 900 mark (was 896). |
| 10 | Lahaul & Spiti | 903 | 802 | ▲ +101 | The Miracle Comeback. A massive +101 jump! Escaped the bottom rank. |
| 11 | Solan | 880 | 852 | ▲ +28 | Industrial Gap. Improving, but industrial male migration keeps it low. |
| 12 | Kinnaur | 819 | 857 | ▼ -38 | The Crash. Crashed to the bottom (Last Rank). Dropped ~38 points. |
📝 Quick Exam Analysis:
- Parity Breakers (>1000): Only 3 districts (Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi).
- Biggest Winner: Lahaul & Spiti (Jumped +101 points).
- Biggest Loser: Kinnaur (Dropped -38 points and fell to last place).
- first 3 remained same . 4 and 6 switched position .10 and 12 switched position
- State Average: 972 (Improved by +4 from 968).