CHAPTER - III
DEMOGRAPHY
3.1 Introduction
Demography is the scientific study of human populations, primarily with
respect to their size, structure and development from quantitative point of view.
Human resource is perhaps the most important natural resource that can shape
the course of development of a nation. The state of Kerala had 3,33,87,677
persons according to 2011 Census. The population in Kerala is characterized by
large-scale out-migration from the region, the smallest population growth in the
country, a dependence on food imports from outside the region, the highest
level of literacy in the country and a large middle class (Ramakrishnan, 2001).
Thrissur district comprises of 92 Panchayaths, 17 Blocks, one Corporation and
six Municipalities. The study area is predominantly rural with 7 urban centres.
The settlement pattern is dispersed and is mixed with tree crops like rest of the
state. The total population of the district was 27,37,311 during 1991 and it
increased to 29,74,232 in 2001. The Census, 2011 shows that the total population
is 31,10,327 (Male– 14,74,665 and Female– 16,35,662). In case of population size,
Thrissur district is ranked fourth place.
3.2 Population Density
Density is defined as the number of persons per square kilometer, density
of population of Kerala according to 2011 Census is 859 persons per. sq. km.
The population density in the district increased from 981 to 1026 persons/sq.km
and ranked 7th place in the State. The percentage decadal growth rate is +4.58
(2001-2011). According to Census, 2001, population of the five taluks are
Talappilly (5,92,120), Chavakkad (4,53,698), Thrissur (8,28,926), Kodungallur
(3,02,332) and Mukundapuram (7,97,156). Among these, Thrissur taluk shows
the highest population and the lowest is in Kodungallur (Fig. 3.1).
47
Chapter III
Demography
Population - 2001
Population
1000000
800000
Talappilly
Chavakkad
600000
Thrissur
400000
Kodungallur
Mukundapuram
200000
0
Taluks
Fig. 3.1: Distribution of population in Thrissur district
The block/panchayath-wise details of demographic pattern during 2001
is collected from Land Resources of Kerala state, KSLUB 2009 and given in Table
3.1.
Details viz. area, number of households, total population, density and
literates of the district are given. The data reveals that Puthur panchayath
(Ollukkara block) has the highest population (46,110 persons) and low in
Puthenvelikkara (208 persons) of Parakkadavu block. Out of the 92 panchayaths,
26 panchayaths showed population density less than the average density of 981
persons/sq.km. Total of 24,37,592 people are literates out of 29,74,232 people in
the district .
48
Chapter III
Demography
Table 3.1: Demographic particulars (Panchayath-wise), 2001
Sl.
No.
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
3
1
2
3
4
5
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
Name of Block/
Panchayath
Chowwannur
Block
Kadavallur
Chowwannur
Porkulam
Kattakampal
Kandanassery
Choondal
Wadakkanchery
Block
Kadangode
Varavoor
Desamangalam
Erumapetty
Mullurkara
Thekkumkara
Wadakkanchery
Velur
Mundathikode
Pazhyannur
Block
Vallatholnagar
Panjal
Kondazhy
Thiruvilwamala
Chelakkara
Chavakkad Block
Punnayurkulam
Vadakkekad
Punnayur
Orumanayur
Kadappuram
Pookode
Thaikkad
Talikkulam
Block
Engandiyur
Vadanappally
Talikkulam
Nattika
Valappad
Mullassery Block
Elavally
Mullassery
Venkitangu
Pavaratty
No. of
Area in
house
sq.km
holds
Density of
Literates
population
persons/
Male Female Total
sq.km.
Male Female Total
110.41
29188
67060
74806 141866
1284
55588
60125 115713
29.84
13.70
13.31
18.86
15.28
19.42
6602
3132
3229
5270
4931
6024
15642
7228
7238
11861
10986
14105
17498
8198
7954
13120
12453
15583
33140
15426
15192
24981
23439
29688
1110
1125
1141
1324
1533
1528
12701
6003
6094
9988
9216
11586
13517
6619
6561
10903
10238
12287
279.40
47523 108315 118711 227026
812
87022
90640 177662
32.05
29.76
23.35
32.11
44.28
38.20
27.97
28.32
23.36
6054
3829
3821
6177
3580
6346
6737
5468
5511
14090
8803
9735
13753
8711
13841
15136
12092
12154
15634
9942
10545
15206
9565
14812
16516
13213
13278
29724
18745
20280
28959
18276
28653
31652
25305
25432
927
629
868
901
412
750
1131
893
1088
11506
6814
7363
11163
6749
11265
12116
10005
10041
12314
7232
7551
11664
6899
11231
12574
10575
10600
291.52
36447
81638
89998 171636
588
64632
66102 130734
19.87
30.39
29.89
98.26
54.08
80.27
11.62
13.72
16.60
5.18
9.85
14.24
9.06
4555
4739
4563
6122
8316
32053
5704
4720
5699
2219
4289
6405
3017
11182
10832
10112
13034
18140
79367
14650
11454
15738
5278
10899
14448
6900
12303 23485
12048 22880
11154 21266
14371 27405
20343 38483
91817 171184
17168 31818
13356 24810
17362 33100
6500 11778
12959 23858
16413 30861
8059 14959
1181
752
711
278
711
2132
2738
1808
1993
2273
2422
2167
1651
8925
8555
8042
10331
14451
65220
11827
9441
12837
4349
8714
12190
5862
9096 18021
8860 17415
8375 16417
10406 20737
15261 29712
72582 137180
13291 25118
10642 20083
13248 26085
5169
9518
9984 18698
13490 25680
6758 12620
61.14
27704
61089
70295 131384
2148
51605
57640 109245
15.68
15.28
4.25
9.60
16.63
65.85
16.47
19.42
20.46
9.50
4969
5818
5084
4266
7567
18961
5263
4552
5239
3907
10645
13638
11139
9263
16404
42639
11506
9755
11845
9533
12684
15523
13041
10618
18429
49167
13186
11189
13815
10977
1487
1908
568
2070
2133
1394
1499
1078
1254
2158
8962
11403
9338
7936
13966
35845
9689
8258
98471
8051
10435
12573
10429
8890
15313
40167
10783
9165
11064
9155
Total population
23329
29161
24180
19881
34833
91806
24692
20944
25660
20510
26218
12622
12655
20891
19454
23873
23820
14046
14914
22827
13648
22496
24690
20580
20641
19397
23976
19767
16826
29279
76012
20472
17423
20911
17206
Cont’d …
49
Chapter III
Sl.
No.
Name of Block/
Panchayath
7
1
2
Puzhakkal Block
Kaiparamba
Avanur
Mulamkunnathukavu
Tholur
Adat
Arimpur
Ollukkara Block
Madakkathara
Kolazhy
Pananchery
Puthur
Nadathara
Anthicad Block
Manalur
Anthicad
Chazhoor
Thanniyam
Cherpu Block
Paralam
Cherpu
Vallachira
Aviniserry
Mathilakam
Block
Edathiruthy
Kaipamangalam
Perinjanam
Mathilakam
Sreenarayanapuram
Kodungallur
Block
Edavilangu
Eriyad
Methala
Mala Block
Poyya
Alur
Mala
Annamanada
Kuzhur
Irinjalakuda
Block
Kattur
Karalam
Porathissery
Parappukkara
Muriyad
3
4
5
6
8
1
2
3
4
5
9
1
2
3
4
10
1
2
3
4
11
1
2
3
4
5
12
1
2
3
13
1
2
3
4
5
14
1
2
3
4
5
Demography
Total population
Density of
Literates
population
persons/
sq.km.
Male Female Total
1082
56339 57824 114163
1342
11239 11471 22710
1058
8191
8291 16482
No. of
Area in
house
sq.km
holds
Male Female Total
127.50
20.48
18.93
30398
6032
4556
66978
13446
9729
71060 138038
14054 27500
10311 20040
25.22
4163
9102
9408
18510
733
7741
7669
17.19
23.02
22.66
461.49
21.59
16.62
367.01
39.05
17.22
76.38
18.12
13.31
27.42
17.53
84.48
17.04
20.88
26.36
20.20
3644
6005
5998
37394
5665
6004
9619
10126
5980
23865
6736
4560
6295
6274
20537
4800
7656
3949
4132
8208
13109
13384
82771
12226
13319
20912
22873
13441
50996
14940
9657
13399
13000
46587
10885
17418
8760
9524
8797 17005
14506 27615
13984 27368
85330 168101
12708 24934
13861 27180
21506 42418
23237 46110
14018 27459
58209 109205
16239 31179
11189 20846
15362 28761
15419 28419
49469 96056
11482 22367
18851 36269
9259 18019
9877 19401
989
1199
1207
364
1154
1635
115
1180
1594
1429
1720
1566
1048
1621
1137
1312
1737
683
960
6788
11162
11218
69088
10293
11393
17280
18910
11212
42994
12678
8100
11301
10915
39464
9179
14683
7439
8163
7022 13810
12000 23162
11371 22589
67253 136341
9941 20234
11575 22968
16469 33749
18195 37105
11073 22285
47550 90554
13389 26067
9114 17214
12440 23741
12607 23522
39977 79441
9364 18543
15168 29851
7438 14877
8007 16170
102.64
31208
68008
77951 145959
1740
57184
63063 120247
16.62
13.59
9.06
12.87
50.50
6145
6894
4508
5704
7957
13367
15579
9375
12390
17297
15565
17714
10965
14337
19370
28932
33293
20340
26727
36667
1740
2449
2245
2076
726
11280
12831
7985
10436
14652
12699
14088
9054
11585
15637
23979
26919
17039
22021
30289
36.92
21196
48159
52361 100520
2722
40694
41932
82626
9.58
16.83
10.51
127.13
20.20
34.39
28.35
25.08
19.11
4082
9065
8049
32496
4943
9154
7356
6586
4457
9271
21420
17468
70021
10709
19656
15813
14106
9737
10266 19537
23443 44863
18652 36120
74504 144525
11397 22106
20906 40562
17364 33177
14618 28724
10219 19956
2039
2665
3436
1136
1094
1179
1170
1145
1044
7814
17814
15066
59435
9097
16538
13542
12077
8181
8142 15956
18277 36091
15513 30579
60965 120400
9185 18282
17049 33587
14424 27966
12035 24112
8272 16453
131.82
27502
59062
65681 124743
946
49964
53638 103602
11.69
17.79
22.33
22.01
58.00
3781
4598
6911
6541
5671
8003
9504
14987
14498
12070
9571
10954
16647
15107
13402
1503
1149
1416
1345
439
6765
8094
12771
12196
10138
7869
9006
13795
12026
10942
17575
20458
3163
29605
25472
15410
14634
17100
26566
24222
21080
Cont’d …
50
Chapter III
Sl.
No.
Name of Block/
Panchayath
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Kodakara Block
Nenmanikkara
Trikkur
Alagappanagar
Varandarappilly
Puthukkad
Kodakara
Mattuthur
Vellangallur
Block
Poomangalam
Vellookkara
Padiyur
Vellangallur
Puthenchira
Chalakudy Block
Kodassery
Pariyaram
Kadukutty
Meloor
Koratty
Athirappally
Parakkadavu
Block
Puthenvelikkara
Total
16
1
2
3
4
5
17
1
2
3
4
5
6
18
1
Demography
No. of
Area in
house
sq.km
holds
Total population
Male Female Total
211904
21115
26540
26798
38932
22480
30123
45919
Density of
population
persons/
sq.km.
710
1850
1045
1457
377
1452
1410
216
Male
86740
8844
10932
11059
15873
9264
12340
18428
Female
86209
8663
10730
11301
15714
9437
12415
17949
Total
172949
17507
21662
22360
31587
18701
24755
36377
94321
Literates
298.12
11.41
25.38
18.38
103.00
15.48
21.36
103.11
47539 103338 108566
4530 10393 10722
5788 13126 13414
6029 12985 13813
8720 18939 19993
5031 10944 11536
6947 14680 15443
10494 22274 23645
110.69
25631
53728
60423 114151
231
45332
48989
16.83
26.67
18.57
26.61
22.01
585.46
38.02
16.08
17.63
23.30
7.50
482.99
2762
6340
4091
7739
4699
33904
7677
5104
5347
5899
7421
2456
5514
13160
8541
16724
9789
72637
16580
10809
11480
12999
15915
4854
6391 11905
14513 27673
9614 18155
18730 35454
11175 20964
74049 146686
16481 33061
11163 21972
12008 23488
13539 26538
16069 31984
4789
9643
707
1037
977
1332
952
250
869
1366
1332
1138
4264
20
4705
11253
7231
13968
8175
61136
13834
9025
9783
11094
13660
3740
5261
9966
12099 23352
7798 15029
14789 28757
9042 17217
58727 119863
12832 26666
8840 17865
9858 19641
10814 21908
13256 26916
3127
6867
0.16
52
101
107
208
1300
90
86
176
0.16
52
101
107
208
1300
90
86
176
3032.00 6,39,871 14,22,052 15,52,180 29,74,232
981
11,91,026 12,46,566 24,37,592
Source: Land Resources of Kerala State, KSLUB, 2009
3.3 Sex- ratio
Sex-ratio is an important social indicator for measuring the extent of
equity prevailing between males and females at a given point of time. It is
counted for number of females per 1000 males. Sex-ratio of the study area is 1109
females and it was 1092 in Census 2001.
3.4 Child Sex-ratio
Child sex-ratio (0-6 years) is the number of females in the age group 0-6
years per thousand males of the same age group in the same population. The
data on child sex ratio is very prominent from the point of view that it is an
indicator of the likely future trends of sex-ratio of the population. A comparison
51
Chapter III
Demography
of child sex ratio of the state with census 2001 indicates that there is a very
negligible decrease in child sex ratio during 2001-2011 i.e., from 960 in 2001 to
959 in 2011. In all districts, the child sex-ratio is negative and in Thrissur district
(948), the same is below the state average.
3.5 Urban Agglomeration
There are 19 urban agglomerations in the State of Kerala in 2011 Census
as against 17 in 2001 Census. Urban agglomerations (UAs) of Thrissur district
are Thrissur (UA) and Chalakudy (UA). The Kodungallur (UA) and Guruvayoor
(UA) are merged with Thrissur (UA). The population of Thrissur municipal
corporation is 3,15,596 (Male- 1,51,999 and Female– 1,63,597).
3.6 Household Size
Another important component of demography is size of household. In
Kerala, as against a total population of 3,18,41,374 persons in 2001 Census,
number of households is 67,26,356 which works out to 4.7 persons. In 1991
Census, the average size of a household was 5.3 persons. The average size of
household has decreased during 1991 - 2001.
3.7 Literacy
Kerala is the most literate state in the country, the literacy rate which was
47.18% in 1951 has almost doubled in 2001 Census, 90.86%. The literacy rate of
Thrissur district is 95.32 % in 2011 Census and it was 92.27% in 2001 Census.
3.8 Occupational Structure
The total workers of the district is 9,55,300 (Male- 7,19,253, Female2,36,047). Among these main workers are 8,08,965 (Male- 6,30,889 and Female1,78,076). The industrial classification of main workers are cultivators – 42,343
(Male- 36,277 and Female- 6,666), agricultural labours - 72,962 (Male- 44,913,
Female- 28,049), household industry workers– 39,944 (Male- 24,574, Female-
52
Chapter III
Demography
1,53,707) and other workers– 6,53,716 (Male- 5,25,125, Female- 1,28,591). The
industrial classification of marginal workers are cultivators– 8,349 (Male- 4,931
and Female– 3,418), agricultural labours- 35,945 (Male- 17,001, Female- 18,944),
household industry workers– 8,906 (Male- 3,121, Female- 5,785), other workers –
93,135 (Male- 63,311, Female- 29,824) and non-workers– 20,18,932 (Male7,02,799, Female- 13,16,133).
3.9 Summary
This brief discussion on demographic characteristics is intended to
provide an idea about the pressure on natural resources in this area. Increase in
population density is a manifestation of decrease in per capita availability of
land over the years. According to Census 2011, total population of Thrissur
district is 31,10,327 persons (Male- 14,74,665 and Female– 16,35,662). The
population density of the district is 1026 persons/sq.km, which is higher than
that of the state. In case of population size, Thrissur district is ranked in 4 th place.
Urban agglomerations (UAs) of Thrissur district are Thrissur (UA) and
Chalakudy (UA). Sex-ratio of the district increased to 1109 females from 1092 in
2001 census. Child sex-ratio is negative as it shows more number of male
children than female in the 0-6 age group. The literacy rate increased to 95.32%
from 90.86% in 2001 census. The total workers of the district is 9,55,300 which
includes main workers and marginal workers.
53