Census data shows lifestyle shift in HP

The latest figures released by the Census department show Himachal Pradesh to be much ahead of most states and above the national average of families having good transport and communication facilities. A vast majority (82.3 per cent) of people have telephones,including mobiles. This is a massive jump from just 13.9 per cent in 2001. As many as 72.4 per cent households have good housing facilities and 73 per cent families own TVs,up from 50.4 per cent in 2001.

“The assets of families across all 12 districts have grown tremendously between 2001 and 2011. It is amazing to see how Himachal Pradesh,a small hill state,has grown,said Balbir Tegata,Census Operations Director in the state.

According to the data,while the number of people who own cars has risen from 2.6 to 8.9 per cent,the number of two-wheeler owners has gone up from 7.4 to 15.5 per cent. Moreover,the number of families who have pucca houses has gone up to 72.4 per cent against 61.9 per cent in 2001. On the other hand,the percentage of families having “liveable” houses has come down to 26 per cent from 35.3 per cent.

The data shows that 89.5 per cent households have access to tap water,among which 83.9 per cent get treated water,said Tegta.