A State of paradox

Kerala as we all have known for some years now, is the most literate state and in terms of population growth too, according to the 2011 Census, it had the lowest decadal population growth rate at 4.6%. This growth is way below the national rate of 17.6%.

In fact the state Govt’s Economic Review 2016 stated that Kerala is moving towards zero or even negative population growth rate.

Thus in this background when you hear that three of its cities figures among the top 10 fastest growing cities, in term of population, in the world, it comes forth as quite a paradox.

UN data shows that Northern Kerala’s Malappuram is the world’s fastest-growing city, recording a 44% increase in population between 2015 and 2020. The other two Kerala cities that feature in the top 10 are Kozhikode and Kollam. Kerala’s Thrissur also features at no. 13. Gujarat’s Surat at 27 and Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu at 30. These are the only other Indian cities in the top 30.

The only explanation – the high growth in these cities is offset by low or even negative growth in other cities.