Indian Population and Agri Workforce
India’s population expanded steadily from 361 million in 1951 to 1.21 billion in 2011, marking over a threefold increase in six decades.
The rural population grew from 298.6 million to 833.7 million, maintaining its dominant share of the total population. During the same period, the number of agricultural cultivators rose from 69.9 million in 1951 to 127.3 million in 2001 before slightly declining to 118.8 million in 2011, reflecting a gradual shift away from farming.
In contrast, agricultural labor grew sharply from 27.3 million to 144.3 million, highlighting the structural transformation of India’s rural employment landscape and rising dependence on wage-based farm work.
The rural population grew from 298.6 million to 833.7 million, maintaining its dominant share of the total population. During the same period, the number of agricultural cultivators rose from 69.9 million in 1951 to 127.3 million in 2001 before slightly declining to 118.8 million in 2011, reflecting a gradual shift away from farming.
In contrast, agricultural labor grew sharply from 27.3 million to 144.3 million, highlighting the structural transformation of India’s rural employment landscape and rising dependence on wage-based farm work.
| In Mn | CY51 | CY61 | CY71 | CY81 | CY91 | CY01 | CY11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 361.1 | 439.2 | 548.2 | 683.3 | 846.4 | 1,028.7 | 1,210.9 |
| Rural Population | 298.6 | 360.3 | 439 | 525.5 | 628.7 | 742.5 | 833.7 |
| Agricultural Cultivators | 69.9 | 99.6 | 78.2 | 92.5 | 110.7 | 127.3 | 118.8 |
| Agricultural Labourers | 27.3 | 31.5 | 47.5 | 55.5 | 74.6 | 106.8 | 144.3 |
Units: Million Granularity: Calendar Year
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