Tamil Nadu - People
Tamil Nadu is one of the most socially developed and economically progressive States in the country and progressing faster in terms of percapita income and Human Development Indicators (HDI). Tamil Nadu has been very successful in reducing poverty. According to the Tendulkar methodology, which is being followed by the Union Planning Commission, State?s poverty has fallen to 18.3 percent in 2009-10 (tentative estimate) from 28.9 percent in 2004-05.In absolute terms as many as 60 lakh persons in Tamil Nadu have been moved out of poverty line. However, as many as 130 lakh persons are still languishing in poverty.
The sex ratio works out to 986 in 2001 as compared to 974 in 1991 and 977 in 1981 (Table 1.1). The decadal (1991–2001) growth rate is 11.19 per cent. The density of population in Tamil Nadu, a true indicator of population distribution, is 478 persons per sq. km in 2001, as against 429 in 1991 and 372 in 1981. Tamil Nadu is today the most urbanized State in the country with 42 per cent of its population living in urban areas.3 Tamil Nadu’s slum population was estimated in 1993–4 to be 3.13 million which is 16.5 per cent of the total urban population of the State. More than 30 per cent of Chennai’s population lives in slums and 50 per cent of these are in dense slum areas.
Tamil Nadu has a literacy rate of 80.3 per cent according to the provisional data of Census 2011; the male literacy rate is 86.8 per cent and the female literacy rate is 73.9 per cent. The official language spoken in the State is Tamil, which is one of the oldest languages of India. It has undergone several panoramic changes with significant contributions made by poets, scholars and rulers over several centuries. ‘Tholkappiam’, dating back to the 5th century BC, is a standing monument testifying to the antiquity of the Tamil language.
The earliest literature, viz. Sangam poetry, originated in Madurai and reached its zenith in the 2nd century. Poetry and literature flourished for almost three centuries during the Sangam age. Sangam literature is remarkable for its high literary quality and sophistication. The best known work of this age is ‘Thirukkural’ (couplets providing philosophy and guidelines for a righteous living), written by Saint Thiruvalluvar, which is relevant even today. ‘Silapathikaram’ (written by Elango Adikal, son of a Chera King in the 2nd or 3rd century AD) and ‘Manimegalai’ are two major classics. Other great poets of this age were the Nayanmars and the Alwars.
Kambar, who composed a Tamil version of Ramayana, lived during this time. The then rulers nurtured the Tamil language, fostering its growth and development. Tamil is the medium of instruction in educational institutions and is widely used in the conduct of government business in the State. However, it is worth noting that people in Tamil Nadu have also learned other languages by osmosis and acculturation.
The total population of Tamil Nadu as per Census, 2011 was 72.1 million which is 5.96 percent of India?s population. It is the seventh most densely populated State in India with a population density of 555 persons per sq.km, significantly higher than the Indian average of 382 persons per sq.km. Tamil Nadu the most urbanized State in India, with a population of 35 million spread over about 11 percent of the total area of the State i.e. over an area of 13,755 sq.km. The sex ratio in 2011 is estimated to be 987 females per 1000 males, which is well above the national average in 2011.
The capital of the State constituting of the Chennai Metropolitan area extends over 1,189 sq.km and its population is estimated to be about 8.8 million now. It constitutes more than 25 percent of the Tamil Nadu State urban population and more than 12 percent of the Tamil Nadu State total population. The population of the metropolitan area will be about 1.26 crore by 2026. The decadal growth rate for the period 2001-2011 has been 15.6 percent, which has increased from 11.7 percent estimated for the period 1991-2000.
Tamil Nadu has been in the forefront of introducing social reforms and implementing a slew of welfare schemes to empower the marginalized sections of the society. The State performs well in Human Development Indicators. According to the National Human Development Report 2001, the State was ranked third behind Kerala and Punjab. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Net Enrolment Ratio(NER) have improved in both primary and middle levels. There is need to follow a three fold strategy of expansion, equity and excellence in higher education.
Although, Tamil Nadu compares well with country's average performance with respect to many health indicators including Total Fertility Rate, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and child nutrition, there are concerns about some of these indicators as the State is not likely to meet the Eleventh Five Year Plan targets relating to these indicators. IMR is still 28. Although about 95 percent of births occurred in health institutions, MMR is 79 (2008-09). Ensuring safe motherhood and protecting infants are the biggest challenges. Nearly 50 percent of women (15-49) are anaemic.
The State has been implementing various welfare programs for the socioeconomic empowerment to uplift the downtrodden. As a result the social sector expenditure has increased to 49 percent in 2011-12 from 42 percent in 2006-07 in plan expenditure, which is the highest in the country.
Children below the age of 15 constituted 30.3 per cent of the population in 1997. The dependency load in the State is high which may adversely affect capital formation of the economy.
The scheduled castes (SCs) constitute a higher percentage of the population in Tamil Nadu (19.18 per cent in 1991 as against 18.3 per cent in 1981) compared to that for the country as a whole (16.3 per cent in 1991 and 15.7 per cent in 1991). However, Tamil Nadu has a much lower percentage of scheduled tribes (STs) — 1 percent in 1991 as against the all-India average of 8 percent.
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