PATTERN OF URBANIZATION MIGRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN RAJASTHAN: A DISTRICT LEVELANALYSIS

Urbanization is a natural consequence of socio-economic change. As per 2001 census, out of a total of 220 urban centers in Rajasthan, 20 Class I cities account for 57% of the urban population. Even within the class I cities, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Ajmer and Udaipur account for 70% of the total population of class I cities. It is important to note that Rajasthan has only 31% of the urban population living in urban agglomerations as compared to other neighbouring states that means a smaller percentage of urban population is participating in the overall growth being achieved in urban areas. Even percentage of urban population is much lower than the national average. The level of urbanization in Rajasthan was 22.88% in 1991 and in reached to 23.39 % in 2001 census. Rajasthan has witnessed the slow growth of industrial development over time, with very less workforce engaged in the gainful secondary activity (manufacturing sector), though it is a mineral-rich state. It was seen that economy of Rajasthan experienced sectorial transformation over the time.