An Analysis Of Urbanization In India: Problems And Obstacles.

Abstract

The process of urbanization in India gained momentum post-independence, largely due to the country's shift towards a mixed economy, which facilitated the growth of the private sector. Urbanization has been progressing rapidly in India, with the urban population increasing from 11.4% in 1901 to 31.16% in 2011, as per the census data. Projections indicate that by 2030, around 40.76% of the country's population will be residing in urban areas. Furthermore, according to the World Bank, India, along with China, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United States, is expected to lead the global surge in urban population by 2050. This surge in urban population has led to various challenges such as the proliferation of slums, declining living standards in urban areas, and environmental degradation. This study delves into the issues and challenges associated with urbanization in India, focusing on the keywords: Economy, Population, and Urbanization.

Urbanization is a prevalent aspect of Indian society, with the growth of industries playing a significant role in the expansion of cities. Industrialization has led to a migration of people towards industrial areas in search of employment, resulting in the development of towns and cities. Urbanization can be described as the concentration of population in a specific territory, involving a shift from agriculture to other urban activities. In 2015, the urban population in India was recorded at 32.75% of the total population, as reported by the World Bank. This data is based on national statistical offices' definitions of urban areas and calculated using estimates from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.