Population Dynamism in National Capital Territory of Delhi: From Explosive Growth towards Stabilization

In the late twentieth century, National Capital Territory of Delhi has grown more rapidly in terms of population. Apart from natural increase, this unprecedented growth may be attributed to the large scale migration from different parts of the country in search of livelihood and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries. Population growth has occurred with very high rate in post independence period against low to moderate rate in early twentieth century. Delhi's population was prime concern in its development in the second half of the past century, when population growth was termed as explosive growth. As most scholars agree, the exploding population growth has created insurmountable challenges including socio-economic development, environmental protection, development of infrastructure and social security but this study focuses on demographic consequences such as overcrowding and congestion due to high density, rural urban transformation and burgeoning growth of slum dwellers. This paper aims to analyse the trend of population growth in NCT Delhi involving the phases of demographic changes and affecting factors. The study finds substantial population increase in post independence period and deckling growth rate in past two decades.