This last decade India has seen the sharpest decline in the population growth rate since independence. Although in absolute numbers, we have added 181 million people, the decline in growth rate is heartening. It is tempting to view the products of the mammoth Census 2001 exercise as the key to the numbers game. While numbers are certainly important, the Census figures, even these preliminary data, should be read as a comprehensive comment on decadal socioeconomic development.
