EXTRACTS FROM THE CENSUS REPORT

Para 'G' page xxv of the First Report on Religion data issued by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India states:-

"Parsi Population in India - The writing on the wall 'Signs of definite decline':- The Parsi population deserves an exceptional but definite mention and place in this volume due to their very small numbers not only in India but also in the world. As per 2001 Census the Parsi population in the Country is 69,601 (33,949 males and 35,652 females) as against their population of 76, 382 (37, 736 males and 38,646 females) in the 1991 Census. This is a clear visible but extremely unfortunate decline of a rich civilization of Zoroastrians and its people. It is apparent from 2001 Census results that urgent and drastic interventions are required by all concerned including possibly by the Government and definitely the Parsi Community leaders to ensure survival of Parsi population in India. Fertility improvement innovative initiatives rather than fertility control measures adopted by the community so far are possibly the need of the hour before it reaches a point of no return. It is expected that this loud and clear message from 2001 Census results awakens the country and the Parsi Community from the deep slumber it is possibly in and have a beneficial effect for them".

Important additional census information on Parsis is as under :-

• Crude Birth Rate : 6 - 7 per thousand population
• Crude Death Rate : 16 -18 per thousand population
• Parsis over the age of 60 years of age : 31% of total population
• The figures pertaining to age group 0-6 is 4.7% of total population of Parsis as against 14.9% all India.