Health in Punjab involves the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of the people in Punjab, India.[1] Data of medical facilities, diseases and nutrition is used to determine the state of health of the population.
Between 1896 and 1921, 12 major cholera outbreaks were recorded in Punjab province, which killed about 250,000 people. In 1901, riots were recorded in some plague-hit areas, like Gurdaspur, Patiala and Sialkot as some people refused compulsory hospitalisation and quarantine.[2] From 1897 to 1947, more than 3,000,000 people died due to plague in Punjab province. In 1896, plague came from Hong Kong in India. In October 1897, first death from plague was reported in Punjab. Initially, the plague spread in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts. By 1903, it had spread to almost all districts and caused large-scale causality in the province.[3]
In March 1902, in Mulkowal village in Punjab province, 19 people died from tetanus after receiving plague vaccine. Initial investigation blamed Dr. Waldemar Haffkine, who had discovered the plague vaccine, and he was fired from his position as a director of plague lab. But later investigations found that a bottle was accidentally contaminated at the inoculation site in the village and not in the lab. Haffkine was finally exonerated and allowed to return to India for employment, but he was not allowed to carry out any trials and limited to theoretical research.[4]
Between in 1953 and 1960, an influential research called 'Khanna study' was conducted in seven villages of Ludhiana district, with field headquarters in Khanna town. Its aim was to study population dynamics and to measure the effects of population control program on birth rate. The study is generally considered a failure because very few people accepted or used contraceptive methods like vaginal foam tablets. This led to the conclusion that the mere availability of contraceptives does not ensure their use. According to anthropologist Mahmood Mamdani, this was because most people considered children as an economic necessity, as they needed large families for labour and physical security.[5][6]
In 2019–21, 94.3% of the births were institutional births in Punjab, which was an increase from 90.5% in 2015–16. Of this, 53.9% were institutional births in public facility, which was up from 51.7% in 2015–16. In rural areas, the births in public facility were 57.6%, compared to 47.0% in urban areas, for year 2019–21. The percentage of home births that were conducted by a skilled health personnel was 2.6%, it was 3.0% for urban areas and 2.3% for rural areas. In 2015–16, this percentage was 4.5%. Of the total, 95.6% births were attended by a skilled health personnel, in 2019–21. For urban areas, this rate was 93.7% and 96.6% for rural areas.[10]
Of the total births in Punjab, 38.5% were delivered by caesarean section in 2019–21. This number was 24.6% in 2015–16. For private health facilities, 55.5% of the births were by caesarean section, in 2019–20, compared to 29.9% for public health facilities. In 2015–16, this number was 39.7% for private and 29.9% for public health facilities. For private health facilities, the rate was 57.0% for rural areas and 53.4% for urban areas in 2019–21. For public health facilities, the rate was 29.1% in rural areas and 31.1% in urban areas, in the same year.[10]
Life Expectancy
Between 2013 and 2017, the life expectancy at birth in Punjab was 72.4 years. It was 74 years for females and 71 for males.[11]
The table below shows the life expectancy in Punjab by gender and residence in 2013–17.
Estimated from civil registration and vital statistics system (CRVSS) data, the table below shows the life expectancy in the districts of Punjab, in 2012.
Estimated life expectancy in the districts of Punjab, in 2012, based on CRVSS data[12]
District
Male (Years)
Female (Years)
Amritsar
64
69
Bathinda
71
81
Barnala
70
76
Faridkot
67
73
Fatehgarh Sahib
72
77
Firozpur
74
80
Gurdaspur
70
76
Hoshiarpur
68
75
Jalandhar
63
69
Kapurthala
74
84
Ludhiana
69
77
Mansa
69
76
Moga
70
74
Muktsar
69
66
Patiala
68
72
Rupnagar
69
75
SAS Nagar
70
76
Sangrur
70
76
SBS Nagar
64
75
Taran Taran
66
73
Children
According to the national family health survey of 2020–21, anaemia rate in Punjab was 71.1% for children between the ages of 0 to 57 months.[13] This was a significant increase compared to 56.6% in 2015–16.[14] According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data from 2015 to 2016, the rate stunting (low height for age) for children between the ages of 0 and 59 months was 26%, which was lower than the national average of 38%.[14]
The table below shows the data from the state nutrition profile of Punjab of children below the age of 6, by years.
State nutrition profile of Punjab of children below the age of 6, by years[15]
Indicators
2019–21
2015–16
2005-6
Low birth weight
22%
17%
28%
Stunting
24%
26%
37%
Wasting
11%
16%
9%
Sever Wasting
4%
6%
2%
Underweight
17%
12%
25%
Anemia
71%
57%
66%
Women
As of 2020, the percentage of deaths due to heart disease was higher in women than men, 41.8% for females compared to 32.2% for males. In the same year, the percentage of deaths due to covid-19 was lower for women compared to men, 13.4% for males and 9.9% for females.[16]
The table below shows the state nutrition profile of Punjab for women between the ages of 15 and 49 years.
State nutrition profile of Punjab of women below the age of 15 to 49, by years[15]
Indicators
2019–21
2015–16
2005-6
Underweight
13%
12%
19%
Anemia (non-preg)
59%
54%
38%
Anemia (pregnant)
52%
42%
42%
Hypertension
31%
15%
NA
Diabetes
15%
NA
NA
Overweight/Obesity (BMI ≥25.0kg/m2)
41%
31%
30%
In 2019, the female cervical cancer incidence rate in Punjab was 13 per 100,000 women in all ages. This was less than the rate of 14.75 in 1990. The female cervical cancer mortality rate was 7.14 per 100,000 women of all ages in 2019. This was lower than the rate of 9.34 in 1990.[17]
Reproductive Health
The table below shows the current use of family planning methods by currently married women between the age of 15 and 49 years, in Punjab.
Family planning methods used by women between the ages of 15 and 49 years, in Punjab[10]
Method
Total (2019–21)
Urban (2019–21)
Rural (2019–21)
Total (2015–16)
Female sterilization
22.8%
18.0%
25.6%
37.5%
Male sterilization
0.5%
0.5%
0.4%
0.6%
IUD/PPIUD
3.1%
2.8%
3.2%
6.8%
Pill
1.5%
1.1%
1.7%
2.5%
Condom
22.2%
26.6%
19.7%
18.9%
Injectables
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
Any modern method
50.5%
49.4%
51.1%
66.3%
Any method
66.6%
68.4%
65.4%
75.8%
Total unmet need
9.9%
8.8%
10.5%
6.2%
Unmet need for spacing
3.7%
3.3%
3.9%
2.4%
The table below compares the reproductive health statistics women between the ages of 15 to 45 years in Punjab at the national level.
Comparison of reproductive health statistics of women between the ages of 15 to 45 years in Punjab at national level[18]
Indicators
Punjab (2015–16)
India (2015–16)
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
1.6
2.2
Any Method Contraception Rate (CPR)
75.8%
53.5%
Modern Contraception Rate (mCPR)
66.3%
47.8%
Total Unmet Need
6.2%
12.9%
20-24 year olds who were married before the age of 18 years
7.6%
26.8%
15–19 years olds who were already mothers or pregnant
2.6%
7.9%
Caste
As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–16), the infant mortality rate was 40 per 1000 live births before the age of one year for scheduled castes, compared to 29 per 1000 births for the state as a whole. The infant mortality rate for other backward castes (OBC) was 21 per 1000 live births and 22 per 1000 for those who are not from SC and OBC classes.[19]
Although the prevalence of anaemia (low levels of haemoglobin in the blood) has been found quite high among all population groups in Punjab, it was still higher among the SC population than other groups. For the women between the ages of 15 and 49 years, the prevalence of anaemia among SC women was 56.9%, compared to 53.5% for the state as a whole. Among the children between the ages of 6 and 59 months, the rate of anaemia for SC children was 60%, compared to 56.9% for the state as a whole.[19]
The table below compares the health status of Scheduled Caste population of Punjab, according to NFHS-3.
Health status of Scheduled Caste (SC) population of Punjab (NFHS-3)[20]
Indicators
SC
Total
Infant Mortality Rate
46
44
Child Mortality Rate
16
7
Anaemic (child)
73.80%
66.40%
Anaemic (women)
42.60%
38.00%
The table below shows the early childhood mortality rates in Punjab by caste, according to NFHS-4 (2015–16).
Early childhood mortality rate in Punjab by caste, according to NFHS-4 (2015–16)[21]
Background Characteristics
SC
OBC
Others
Total
Neonatal Mortality
27.0
16.9
17.1
21.2
Post-neonatal Mortality
12.7
3.6
5.2
8.0
Infant Mortality
39.6
20.5
22.4
29.2
Child Mortality
6.5
3.3
1.9
4.1
Under five Mortality
45.9
23.7
24.2
33.2
Obesity
According to the National Family Health Survey 2020–21, the percentage of males in the age group of 15–49 who were obese or overweight was 32.2% in 2020–21, which an increase from the 27.8% in 2015–16. For women in the same age group, the number in 2020–21 was 40.8% which was an increase from 31.3% in 2015–16. Moreover, according to the same report, 63.1% of the men and 72.8% of the women have high risk waist-to-hip ratio, as of 2020–21.[13]
The table below shows the overweight/obesity rate of men, women and children in Punjab.
During the covid-19 pandemic, it was asserted that the high death rate of covid patients in Punjab is because of the prevalence of Obesity and other diseases associated with it, like hypertension and diabetes, in the state.[23]
As of December 2023, there were 3,473 recorded gyms in Punjab. Ludhiana was the city with most number of recorded gyms in Punjab at 449.[24]
The burning of crop stubble by farmers, after harvesting, has been shown to be a major cause of many respiratory diseases in Punjab.[27][28] As of October 2013, there were around 30 lakh arthritis patients in Punjab. Of which, around 5 lakh were at an advanced state, which required surgery. The main factors contributing to the growth of arthritis in Punjab were obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Higher levels of stress and modern lifestyle were the main reasons for the increase in arthritis among young people.[29]
The tuberculosis (TB) rate in Punjab came down from 196 per lakh population in 2019 to 163 in 2021, which was a decline of 17%. Only Sri Muktsar Sahib district witnessed a growth of 4.26%, from an incident rate of 141 to 147 per lakh population.[30]
Punjab has witnessed an overall decline in the number of malaria cases from 2010 onwards, when the total number of cases were 3,476. In 2017, there were 796 cases of malaria which was slightly higher than the 596 cases in 2015. As of 2017, the top three districts with the most number of malaria cases were Hoshiarpur at 153, Mansa at 152 and SAS Nagar at 128.[31]
Cancer
Punjab recorded 38,636 cases of cancer in 2020. This number had been gradually rising since the previous few years. It was 37,744 in 2019 and 36,888 in 2018.[32] By 2024, the number of cancer patients had risen to 42,288, which was a 7% increase from 39,521 in 2021. The numbers increased steadily from 40,435 in 2022 to 41,337 in 2023.[33]
In February 2013, there were 90 cancer patients for every 100,000 people in Punjab, which was higher than the national average of 80. In that year, Muktsar district had the highest cancer rate among all district, at 136 per 100,000. Muktsar was closely followed by Mansa, Bathinda and Firozpur districts. Taran Taran district had the lowest rate at 41 per 100,000 people.[34]
In April 2024, Punjab health department decided to formulate standard treatment guidelines (STGs) for cancer care services, to control rising cancer cases. It includes standard treatment protocols that will help doctors and patients to make informed decisions about suitable healthcare for specific clinical condition. Preventative healthcare in the form of lifestyle modifications, vaccination programmes and public health initiatives was stressed.[35]
The table below shows the number of cases and estimated mortality of Breast cancer in Punjab.
Number of cases and estimated mortality of Breast cancer in Punjab[36]
Year
Numbers
Estimated Mortality
2023
6,667
2,480
2022
6,507
2,421
2021
6,347
2,361
2020
6,192
2,303
2019
6,037
2,246
HIV/AIDS
As of 2017, there were 40,600 estimated adult cases of HIV infection (AIDS) in Punjab, which comprised 0.18% of the population. As of July 2019, Amritsar district have the highest number of HIV positive cases at 16,619.[37]
The table below shows the number of HIV positive cases in Punjab by district.
According to the 2011 census, there were 654,043 differently abled persons in Punjab, which comprised 2.35% of the population. Out of these, 3,76,087 people have been provided with the 'disability' certificate. During 2016–2017, a total of 57,713 'disability' certificates were issued.[38]
The table below shows the percentage of differently abled people in rural and urban areas of Punjab.
Differently abled persons in Rural and Urban areas of Punjab[39]
Residence
Male
Female
Urban
3.1%
2.3%
Rural
3.1%
3.1%
Under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, grant-in-aid is provided to the volunteer organizations working for the welfare of the differently abled people. The aid is given to the NGOs that work for rehabilitation of differently abled persons, including providing them education, artificial limbs, etc.[40][41]
Under the Assistance to disable persons for purchase of fitting of Aid Appliances (ADIP Scheme), good quality prosthetics and assistive devices are provided to the differently abled persons with the help through voluntary organizations. Under this scheme, prosthetic devices are provided for free to the low income persons, who suffer from more than 40% disability.[42] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, provides a grant-in-aid for a cochlear implant for the children from lower income households.[43]
There are 3 vocational training rehabilitation centers and one workshop in Punjab, where differently abled persons between the ages of 18 and 40 years are given training in different types of trades like tailoring, cutting, embroidery, typing/stenography, etc. to make them economically self-reliant. The rehabilitation centers are located in Ludhiana, Bathinda and Hoshiarpur and the workshop in Shimlapuri in Ludhiana district.[44]
The differently abled persons with more than 40% disability can travel for free or with concession in state buses. For a blind person, travel is free within the state on state buses. For differently abled persons other than blind, there is 50% concession within the state in these buses.[45]
Drug Use
According to the National Family Health Survey 2020–21, the percentage of people in Punjab above the age of 15 who consume alcohol was 22.8% for men and 0.3% for women. The rate of tobacco usage in the same age group was 12.9% for men and 0.4% for women.[13] A study conducted by PGI Chandigarh revealed that, as of March 2022, around 1.7 lakh people consume opioids in Punjab.[46]
According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), Punjab recorded the highest number of drug overdose deaths among all the states of the country in 2022, at 144 deaths. In the same year Punjab saw the third highest number of deaths due the consumption of illicit liquor, at 90 deaths.[47]
Mental Health
According to a survey conducted in four districts of Punjab, in 2016, the current rate of mental morbidity was 13.42%. That means about 1,283,000 people were suffering from a mental illness in Punjab that year. The lifetime prevalence of mental morbidity was 17.94%. The number of people with high suicide risk was 51,600 and people with moderate suicide risk were 28,700.[48]
It is asserted that, as of 2016, only about 20% of people suffering from mental illness had access to treatment. This is attributed to the low number of psychiatrists, which was only 0.45 per lakh people in Punjab.[49] An increase of 20 to 25% was witnessed in the number of mental health cases in Punjab due to Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdown also had long term effects on the mental health of people from medical background, students, teachers or working professionals.[50]
Punjab government runs 4 homes, called SEHYOG (Half Way Home), for persons suffering from mental illnesses from lower-income families. There the inmates are provided with free accommodation, food, health care, recreation and education. The Homes in Amritsar and Kapurthala are only for females and the Homes at Ludhiana are only for males. Each home has a capacity of 40 inmates.[51]
According to the report by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 2,600 suicides were reported in Punjab in 2021, which was lower than the 2,616 in 2020. This was a rate of about 8.1 suicides per 1 lakh population in 2021, which was lower than the national average of 12.[52]
Prisons
As of 2016, Punjab has the second highest prison suicide rate in India.[53] In 2019, there were 13 such cases, second only to Uttar Pradesh at 20. In 2017 and 2018, Punjab reported maximum cases in the country at 13 and 27 respectively. A study of prison suicides between 2017 and 2019 found that about 42% of the victims died within a month of incarceration and 15% within 48 hours. About 54 percent of the victims were aged between 25 and 35 years. 71% of the victims were first time inmates and 79% were from rural background. Majority of the victims were held for drug smuggling.[54]
In November 2023, Punjab government launched a mental health intervention program in four state jails. It would provide screening, counseling and referral services to the inmates. Councellors will conduct councelling to improve the mental health of the detainees and prisoners. According to the health and family welfare minister, later this project will also be implemented in other jails.[55][56]
In October 2022, Punjab became the first state in India to allow conjugal visits to prisoners. According to a senior official, this decision was taken to keep the stress levels of inmates under control and ensure their re-entry into society, and this also fulfil a basic biological need. Under this scheme, prisoners who exhibited good conduct would be allowed to spend two hours in private with their spouses after every two months. Some categories of prisoners are kept out of this program, which includes high–risk prisoners, terrorists, gangsters and those imprisoned for domestic violence, child abuse and sexual crimes. Moreover, both spouses must be free from infectious diseases like HIV, STDs and Tuberculosis, to avail this program.[57][58]
As of February 2023, at least 600 specialist doctors were required at various community health centers in Punjab, but only 151 were available.[60] On 29 March 2024, first institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences was inaugurated in Mohali.[61][62][63]
In October 2019, Punjab government and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) jointly decided to promote Artificial Intelligence in healthcare in Punjab, to address health related issues.[64] In May 2023, the health department in Punjab decided to use A.I. technology in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), initially in 10 districts on a pilot basis. It will be used in analysing chest x-ray images and generating reports, which will help in early diagnosis.[65] In April 2023, Parhar hospital in Phagwara became the first hospital in Punjab to get advanced technology for Robot Joint Replacement Surgeries.[66][67]
As of June 2022, there were 51,689 allopathic doctors registered with the Punjab Medical Council.[68]
The table below shows the district wise number of registered doctors and other registered medical personnel in Punjab, in year 2018.[69][70] Note:- The ranks of the districts in this table are in the descending order of the number of registered doctors.
District wise number of registered doctors and other medical personnel in Punjab, in year 2018[69][70][71]
Sr. No.
District
Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
1
Ludhiana
4,989
10,904
8,121
2
Amritsar
4,141
6,531
4,018
3
Patiala
3,935
3,279
1,963
4
Jalandhar
3,268
5,119
4,081
5
Hoshiarpur
1,640
3,944
2,806
6
Sangrur
1,286
2,567
3,374
7
Gurdaspur
1,058
6,118
6,472
8
Firozpur
1,036
4,459
3,096
9
Bathinda
898
2,104
2,774
10
Rupnagar
864
2,409
2,159
11
Kapurthala
737
2,165
766
12
SAS Nagar
545
2,790
1,788
13
Faridkot
499
2,997
3,037
14
Mansa
325
2,616
3,424
15
Moga
312
3,172
2,084
16
Sri Muktsar Sahib
283
2,648
839
17
SBS Nagar
262
2,516
383
18
Barnala
200
2,037
825
19
Fatehgarh Sahib
198
2,064
306
20
Fazilka
162
460
987
21
Pathankot
145
50
120
22
Tarn Taran
84
3,378
2,370
Outside State Territory
630
2,855
989
Punjab
29,772
77,182
56,782
The table below shows the population served per doctor, per nurse and per midwife by districts of Punjab, in the year 2018.[72][73][74][75] Note:- The ranks of the districts in the table are in the ascending order of the population served per doctor.
Population served per doctor, per nurse and per midwife in districts of Punjab, in year 2018[72][73][74][75]
Sr. No.
District
Doctor
Nurse
Midwife
1
Faridkot
499
224
225
2
Patiala
551
161
1,172
3
Amritsar
661
424
689
4
Jalandhar
729
465
5,943
5
Ludhiana
780
357
506
6
Rupnagar
844
302
340
7
Bathinda
898
744
585
8
Hoshiarpur
1,017
423
654
9
Gurdaspur
1,058
284
280
10
Ferozpur
1,083
251
377
11
Kapurthala
1,171
398
1,226
12
Sangrur
1,404
703
558
13
Mansa
2,073
319
2,376
14
SAS Nagar
2,264
442
739
15
SBS Nagar
2,408
250
2,183
16
Barnala
3,212
320
714
17
Fatehgarh Sahib
3,286
315
2,745
18
Moga
3,456
339
318
19
Sri Muktsar Sahib
3,561
380
1,375
20
Pathankot
4,943
14,336
7,389
21
Fazilka
7,089
2,496
1,258
22
Tarn Taran
15,210
378
568
Punjab
522
1,234
950
The table given below shows the population served per doctor in Punjab, by years.[73]
Population served per doctor in Punjab, by years[73]
Year
Population
Year
Population
2018
522
2000
1,490
2012
1,170
1999
1,485
2010
1,250
1998
1,483
2008
1,225
1997
1,472
2007
1,316
1996
1,499
2006
1,263
1995
1,487
2005
1,388
1994
1,501
2004
1,468
1993
1,608
2003
1,489
1992
1,481
2002
1,324
1991
1,514
2001
1,472
1990
1,589
The table below shows the district wise population served per bed.[76]
Population served per bed in districts of Punjab, in year 2018[76]
Gurdaspur district is a district in the Majha region of the state of Punjab, India. Gurdaspur is the district headquarters. It internationally borders Narowal District of Pakistani Punjab, and the districts of Amritsar, Pathankot, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur. Two main rivers Beas and Ravi passes through the district. The Mughal emperor Akbar is said to have been enthroned in a garden near Kalanaur, a historically important town in the district. The district is at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Hoshiarpur district is a district of Punjab state in northern India. Hoshiarpur, one of the oldest districts of Punjab, is located in the North-east part of the Punjab state and shares common boundaries with Gurdaspur district in the north-west, Jalandhar district and Kapurthala district in south-west, Kangra district and Una district of Himachal Pradesh in the north-east. Hoshiarpur district comprises 4 sub-divisions, 10 community development blocks, 9 urban local bodies and 1417 villages. The district has an area of 3365 km2. and a population of 1,586,625 persons as per census 2011.
Amritsar district is one of the twenty three districts that make up the Indian state of Punjab. Located in the Majha region of Punjab, the city of Amritsar is the headquarters of this district.
Mansa district is a district in the state of Punjab, India. The district headquarters is Mansa city. Mansa district was formed on 13 April 1992 from the erst while district of Bathinda. The district has three tehsils: Mansa, Budhlada and Sardulgarh; and five development blocks: Mansa, Budhlada, Sardulgarh, Bhikhi and Jhunir.
Bathinda district is in Malwa region of Punjab, India. The district encompasses an area of 3,385 square kilometers. By area, Bathinda district is the second-largest in Punjab, after Ludhiana district. It is bounded by Faridkot district and Moga district on the north, Muktsar district on the west, Barnala and Mansa districts on the east, and the state of Haryana on the south. Bathinda is cotton producing belt of Punjab.
Patiala district is one of the twenty three districts in the state of Punjab in north-west India.
Kapurthala district is a district of Punjab state in northern India. The city of Kapurthala is the district headquarters.
Jalandhar district is a district in Doaba region of the state of Punjab, India. The district headquarters is the city of Jalandhar.
Faridkot district is a district lying in the South-Western part of Punjab, India with Faridkot city as the district headquarters.
Sri Muktsar Sahib district, is one of the 23 districts in the Indian state of Punjab. The capital city of district is Sri Muktsar Sahib. The district itself was historically referred as Khidrane Di Dhaab. There are 4 Tehsils in District which consists of total 234 villages. 1. Sri Muktsar Sahib 2. Lambi 3. Gidderbaha 4. Malout
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district is one of twenty-three districts of state of Punjab, India. It is located in Doaba region. It consists of three subdivisions, Nawanshahr, Banga, and Balachaur. There are three legislative seats in the district, Nawanshahr, Balachaur and Banga. They fall under the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha Constituency. Nawanshahr, the district headquarters is about 92 kilometres (57 mi) from Chandigarh, the state's capital.
Tarn Taran district is one of the districts in the Majha region of Punjab, India. The main cities are Tarn Taran Sahib, Bhikhiwind, Khadur Sahib and Patti. The City of Tarn Taran Sahib is a holy place for Sikhs. Tarn Taran's Sikh population makes it the most heavily concentrated district of Sikhs in India and the world.
Barnala is one of the districts of Indian state of Punjab. It was carved out of Sangrur district, in November 2006. It is a centrally located district bordered by Ludhiana district on the north, Moga district on northwest, Bathinda district on west, Sangrur district on east and Mansa district on south. As per census 2011, Population of District Barnala is 5,96,294. Barnala boasts a significant number of colleges that offer a diverse range of educational opportunities in fields such as engineering, arts, medicine, and commerce. Furthermore, the town is renowned for its thriving industrial sector. Two main Industries: Trident Group and a large Industry producing Combines, Standard Combines were also established here.
Punjab is home to 2.3% of India's population; with a density of 551 persons per km2. According to the provisional results of the 2011 national census, Punjab has a population of 27,743,338, making it the 16th most populated state in India. Of which male and female are 14,639,465 and 13,103,873 respectively. 32% of Punjab's population consists of Dalits. In the state, the rate of population growth is 13.9% (2011), lower than national average. Out of total population, 37.5% people live in urban regions. The total figure of population living in urban areas is 10,399,146 of which 5,545,989 are males and while remaining 4,853,157 are females. The urban population in the last 10 years has increased by 37.5%. According to the 2011 Census of India, Punjab, India has a population of around 27.7 million.
Sangrur district is in the state of Punjab in northern India. Sangrur city is the district headquarters. It is one of the five districts in Patiala Division in the Indian state of Punjab. Neighbouring districts are Malerkotla (north), Barnala (west), Patiala (east), Mansa (southwest) and Fatehabad (Haryana) and Jind (Haryana) (south).
Punjab is a state in northwestern India. Forming part of the larger Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, the state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the north and northeast, Haryana to the south and southeast, and Rajasthan to the southwest; by the Indian union territories of Chandigarh to the east and Jammu and Kashmir to the north. It shares an international border with Punjab, a province of Pakistan to the west. The state covers an area of 50,362 square kilometres, which is 1.53% of India's total geographical area, making it the 19th-largest Indian state by area out of 28 Indian states. With over 27 million inhabitants, Punjab is the 16th-largest Indian state by population, comprising 23 districts. Punjabi, written in the Gurmukhi script, is the most widely spoken and the official language of the state. The main ethnic group are the Punjabis, with Sikhs (57.7%) and Hindus (38.5%) forming the dominant religious groups. The state capital, Chandigarh, is a union territory and also the capital of the neighbouring state of Haryana. Three tributaries of the Indus River — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — flow through Punjab.
Suicide is a major national public health issue in the India. 1.71 lakh suicides were recorded in 2022, registering a 4.2% increase over 2021 and a jump of 27% compared to 2018. The rate of suicide per one lakh population has increased to 12.4 in 2022 which is the highest year for this data. Suicides during 2022 increased by 27% in comparison to 2018 with India reporting highest number of suicides in the world. India's contribution to global suicide deaths increased from 25.3% in 1990 to 36.6% in 2016 among women, and from 18.7% to 24.3% among men. In 2016, suicide was the most common cause of death in both the age groups of 15–29 years and 15–39 years. Daily wage earners accounted for 26% of suicide victims, the largest group in the suicide data.
Prisons in India are overcrowded and eight of out ten prisoners in Indian jails await trial. There are 1319 prisons in India as of 2021. Currently, there are about 1400 prisons. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of prisoners increased 13% from 2020 to 2021, making over 80% of the prisons overcrowded. After the Supreme Court order, a number of prisoners were released in 2020 to decongest the jails, reducing the overall prison occupancy in 20 states and two Union Territories to a little over 93%. However, the occupancy rate increased to 130% again by 2021. About 63 unnatural deaths took place in Indian prisons. Among the major states, Tamil Nadu is the only state which has less than 100% occupancy followed by Karnataka.
Women in Punjab can also be known as Punjabans or Punjabi women. They are the female inhabitants of state of Punjab in India. They belong to diverse economic, social, cultural and caste backgrounds, but their residence in a common state gives them a shared identity. Women have made significant progress in Punjab but they still remain underrepresented in various fields due to the patriarchal structure still remaining intact in Punjabi society.
Scheduled castes in Punjab, or Dalits in Punjab are the officially designated groups in Punjab state in India which are most disadvantaged due to the caste system. They were placed in the lowest ranks of the caste system, because of which they suffered and are still suffering from social, political, economic and personal discrimination.
↑ "India’s Family Planning Programme: Policies, practices and challenges", by Leela Visaria and Rajni R. Ved, Chapter 2, History of India's family planning program from inception to National Emergency, The post-independence period leading up to the Emergency, Page 51
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
