ECONOMIC TRENDS

POPULATION

In the study of the economic trends of a district it is very important to take note of the broad trends in population growth. The broad trends in population changes and the casual relation ships of the factors governing it are given below.

During the period of 30 years from 1921 to 1951 [This is based on the account of population trends given in the Census Report for Hyderabad State 1951.] the population of Bhir district increased by 72.9 per cent. This rather disproportionate growth was due almost exclusively to an extraordinary increase of 35.9 per cent recorded during the decade 1921-31. The Census Report of 1931 did not give any reasons for this increase. The increase might have been a reaction to the heavy decline in population in the preceding decade of 1911-21 because of epidemics and famines. During the two decades of 1931-41 and 1941-51 the rate of population growth in Bhir district approximated to that of the Hyderabad State. During 1941-51 population increased by 13.4 per cent in Bhir district. This increasing rate can also be attributed to immigration into this district from the adjoining areas of Marathwada. The number of such immigrants was found to b'e 19,339 in the census of 1921, 21,8l6 in 1931 and 57,931 in 1951. However, the flow of emigration from Bhir to the industrialised areas of western Maharashtra in general and Bombay and Poona cities in particular has been increasing at a progressive rate. It would thus be obvious that, on the whole, Bhir district is now loosing a considerable number by the movement of population. The increase in its total population over the last few years is explained [This is based on the account of population trends given in the Census Report for Hyderabad State, 1951.] by the fall in the death rate due to increased medical facilities and more health consciousness.

Though, the rate of population growth since 1921 is on an increase, the rate since the turn of this century on the whole is not so. During the last fifty years its population has increased by 63.1 per cent.