Demography of Tribal Population in Jharkhand 1951-1991

Jharkhand's tribal population has, since post-independence, persistently experienced a slower population growth than the non-tribal groups. The low natural rate of increase of the tribal population does not suffice to explain this slow growth. In the recent past, substantial tribal outmigration to other states over a long period appears to have been a major cause of this trend. However, as this paper proposes, the gradual drying up of demand for migrant labour, displacement and subsequent disruption of livelihood patterns, inaccessibility to healthcare and other services have placed the tribals at a disadvantage. This is manifest clearly in slower declines (or even increases) in mortality levels among Jharkhand's tribals.