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The cities and towns in Kerala have experienced tremendous growth in the last century. From a meager population of a few lakh people, the population in the prominent cities in the state has already increased to more than one crore in 1991 and the 2001 census has revealed further increase in the urban population. The agrarian crisis in the state and also the lack of newer employment opportunities has resulted in a large number of people moving into to the cities seeking all types of employment opportunities.
There was a steady rise in the population in the Municipal Corporation limits until the year 1971, except in the year 1921 when along with the rest of the country there was a slight decline in the urban population. However, after the year 1971, there was an abrupt growth in the urban population mainly because of migration of people from the countryside. Nevertheless, apart from the migration factor, stability in birth rate and decrease in death rate is also responsible for high population growth rate after 1971.
Density of population is quite high in the Municipal Corporations of the cities like Trivandrum, Kochi and Kozhikode with about 9,436 persons per sq. km in 1991 while in 2001 it was 10,800 persons per sq. km. Apart from the natural factors, migration acts as a third factor associated with the increase in the population levels. Real estate in Kerala started appreciating only because of such a phenomenal population increase in the urban areas.
When analyzing the occupation pattern of the migrants, the males from the rural areas came to the urban areas attracted by employment in tertiary sectors. This sector offered clerical and related works (24.04%), followed by professional, technical and related works (16%), and service works (11.08%). Even then, people employed in secondary occupations like production and related works constituted only 12 percent of the total rural-urban migrants.
There was a steady rise in the population in the Municipal Corporation limits until the year 1971, except in the year 1921 when along with the rest of the country there was a slight decline in the urban population. However, after the year 1971, there was an abrupt growth in the urban population mainly because of migration of people from the countryside. Nevertheless, apart from the migration factor, stability in birth rate and decrease in death rate is also responsible for high population growth rate after 1971.
Density of population is quite high in the Municipal Corporations of the cities like Trivandrum, Kochi and Kozhikode with about 9,436 persons per sq. km in 1991 while in 2001 it was 10,800 persons per sq. km. Apart from the natural factors, migration acts as a third factor associated with the increase in the population levels. Real estate in Kerala started appreciating only because of such a phenomenal population increase in the urban areas.
When analyzing the occupation pattern of the migrants, the males from the rural areas came to the urban areas attracted by employment in tertiary sectors. This sector offered clerical and related works (24.04%), followed by professional, technical and related works (16%), and service works (11.08%). Even then, people employed in secondary occupations like production and related works constituted only 12 percent of the total rural-urban migrants.
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