Population & Migration

Population density, household demographics, urbanization, and migration patterns

Demographics

Population Density & Household Demographics — Census 2011

Punjab has 3rd highest population density in India at 551/km2. Child population (0-6) is 3,076,219. Dependency ratios show youth burden of 399 per 1000 working age.

551/km2

Population Density

3rd highest in India

Bihar 1106, WB 1029

3,076,219

Child Population (0-6)

9.8% of total population

4.8

Avg Household Size

Members per household

65.66%

Nuclear Family

Among highest in India

88.88%

Home Ownership

Owner-occupied households

399

Youth Dependency

Per 1000 working age

164

Old-Age Dependency

Per 1000 working age

Migration: Passport decline 40%, 500K+ illegal immigrants in USA, 2.37 lakh youngsters emigrated 2019-2020. Major brain drain from Doaba and Malwa belts.

Urban Agglomerations & Peri-Urban Growth — 2026

7 Urban Agglomerations with combined 5M+ population. Ludhiana has highest migrant voter concentration — 46.7% growth in migrant voters 2019-2024.

1.6M+

Ludhiana UA

Largest UA

1.1M+

Amritsar UA

2nd largest

1.0M+

Jalandhar UA

3rd largest

7 UAs

Total Agglomerations

5M+ combined population

3.5-4%

Peri-Urban Growth

vs core urban 2.1% — faster expansion

46.7%

Ludhiana Migrant Growth

3.32L → 4.87L voters (2019-2024)

Peri-Urban Zones: Dera Bassi (industrial corridor), Moga peripheral, Khanna (steel corridor). Urban growing 8-10x faster than rural.

Urban-Rural Distribution — Census 2011

Punjab is urbanizing rapidly: 37.48% urban (2011) vs 34.0% (2001). Projected ~42-44% urban by 2027.

62.5%

Rural Population

1.73 Cr — dominates Malwa belt & Doaba

37.5%

Urban Population

1.04 Cr — Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Mohali

Key: Voter ID mapping coverage higher in rural (89.58%) vs urban (73%) areas — actual 2022 turnout was ~71.3%. Urban voters concentrated in 4 major cities — concentrated campaign reach. Doaba: 42% Dalit concentration in some constituencies — highest Dalit density in Punjab, strong AAP foothold.

Regional Voter Distribution

Voter concentration by Punjab region

Malwa(Central/South Punjab)

60 ACs

Majha(Pakistan border, Central)

25 ACs

Doaba(Dual river region)

23 ACs

Powadh(Punjab-Haryana border)

9 ACs