The Census of 2011 reveals that India's decadal population growth over 2001 decelerated significantly to 17.6% from 21.5% in the previous decade. The decline is present in most of the states, but, some of the more populous states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan exhibited growth rates of above 20%. While the overall sex ratio turned in favour of females, the ratio in respect of children in the age group of up to six years has turned adverse. The literacy rate has improved from roughly two-thirds to three-fourths over the decade.
