Imphal, April 1: Manipur’s literacy rate grew by 10 per cent during the past decade, at 79.85 per cent, according to the provisional census report, 2011, released by the state director of census operations, Y. Thamkishore Singh, here today.

The state’s literacy rate is higher than the national average of 74.04 per cent, with the male literacy rate being 86.49 per cent and female literacy rate being 73.17 per cent.

The total population of the state is pegged at 27,21,756, with the male population (13,69,764) outnumbering the female population (13,51,992). The sex ratio is 987 females per 1,000 males.

The growth rate is 18.65 — 10 per cent in the past decade — down since the last census. Children below six years of age form 12.98 per cent of the total population. The density of population is 122 persons per square km.

Senapati district has the highest decadal growth rate — 25 per cent — while Imphal East has the lowest growth rate of 14.63 per cent.

Imphal West, where the capital city is located, has the highest population (2,53,628) while Imphal East comes a close second (2,27,531).

Releasing the provisional figures, Thamkishore Singh said the final report would include the population of disabled persons and added that the provisional report was not subjected to intensive checks and numbers provided were tentative. “Some caution is therefore needed while interpreting the results,” he said.

Manipur has nine districts with a total geographical area of 22,327 square km. The provisional census does not include the sub-division-wise population distribution.