The comparative study of urbanization in Kerala and India since 1901 shows that the level of urbanization in the state has been lower than the country level till 2001. Kerala had only 7.11% of urban population in 1901. The urban percentage remained almost static in 1911. The state has shown a steady increase in the urban population till 1981. In 1991 the urban share became 26.39%, more than quarter of the total population. 2001 shows a slight decline in the urban percentage to 25.96 %, due to the declassification of forty-two towns in 2001. However, 2011 Census data reveals a rapid increase in the urban population, 47.72% recording the highest in the history of the state. In 2011, Kerala has surpassed the national level of urbanization which is 31.14%. Regarding the URGD, India shows a positive trend from 1921-2011. However, during 1901-1911 a negative rate of -0.58% recorded in India. In Kerala, URGD recorded highest during the decade 2001-2011, when the urban population grown 9.56% faster than rural population, followed by the decade 1981-1991. During 2001-2011, the urban population of Kerala increased by 1.6 million, with URGD 9.56% compared to 1.6% in India with an urban population of 37.7 million.

The Population Projection for Kerala 2011-2036 indicates a slow pace of population growth. However, the urban share of population grows at a rapid rate from 47.7% in 2011 to 71% in 2021 and 96.43% in 2036. By 2036 Kerala will be the 2^nd most urbanized state in India after National Capital Territory of Delhi. Generally, the settlement pattern in Kerala is continuous without much open land and infrastructure facilities are available for the population is more or less same throughout the state particularly education and health care facilities. From the urban growth takes place in 25 years from 2011 to 2036 in Kerala, it is evident that Kerala is going through acceleration stage of urbanization. Forecasted urban population of 96.43% requires high attention from the urban planners and state authorities in order to incorporate the demands of the future.

Table 2

Year	Total Population (‘000)	Urban Population (‘000)	Percent Urban
2011	33406	15935	47.7
2016	34578	20602	59.58
2021	35489	25200	71
2026	36207	29465	81.37
2031	36695	33051	90.06
2036	36949	35630	96.43

Source: https://www.nhm.gov.in/New_Updates_2018/Report_Population_Projection_2019.pdf

The state Kerala is comprised of 14 districts and geographically divided into three regions namely Western Coastal Lowlands, Central Midlands and Eastern High lands. At district level, Ernakulam is the most urbanized district with 68.07% urban population while on the other hand Wayanad is the least urbanized district (3.87%) in 2011. According to the 2011 Census, more than half of the district population lives in urban areas in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur, Alappuzha and Trivandrum. All these districts have long coastal belt and district area predominantly lies in lowland region. Kollam, Malappuram, Kasaragod and Kottayam have more than quarter of district population in urban share in 2011. Urban population is below 25% in Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Wayanad. All the four districts do not have coastal line, and these districts predominantly lies in high lands especially Idukki and Wayanad. Idukki and Wayanad are the only districts with below 5% urban population.

When the urban population at district level is forecasted for the years 2021, 2025 and 2031, the results are corresponding with the forecast of Kerala in general. However, district wise variation still prevails in the forecast as well. Highest urban population is projected in Thrissur with 97.9% followed by Kannur with 92.8% in 2031.

The lowest urban share is forecasted in Idukki with 4.7% followed by Wayanad with 6.4% in 2031 where the urban growth is restricted mainly due to the mountainous terrain of these districts.

In India towns are classified into six classes ranging from less than 5000 population (Class -VI) to more than 100000 population (Class -I). The number of towns in Kerala increased from 197 in 1991 to 520 in 2011. However, there is a decrease in the number of towns in 2001 (159) due to the declassification of towns. During 2001-2011, Class -I towns decreased from 10 to 9, with a negative growth rate of -11.64%. Class –II towns increased from 24 to 29 with a growth rate of 18.91%, whereas Class-III towns experienced a tremendous growth from 72 in 2001 to 254 in 2011 with a growth rate 245.13%. Similarly, Class –IV also had an extremely high decadal growth rate of 315.19% with an increase in number of towns from 37 to 159. Class-V towns upsurged from 15 to 61 with 292.27% growth rate. The number of towns in Class-VI also increased from 1 to 8 during 2001-2011.

Figure 4

The Lorenz curve for urban population and towns shows that more than 50% of the urban population lived in 10% of the UAs/ Towns in 2001. However, the Lorenz curve for 2011 shows an inclination towards the line of Equal Distribution which reveals a tendency towards the equal distribution of population among the cities. This tendency is reflected in the Gini Coefficient Index. It was 0.54 in 2001 which declined to 0.40 in 2011.