The history of census studies in India spans over two centuries, beginning with the first census conducted in 1824 in Allahabad during British rule. Since then, censuses have been carried out in both the pre-independence and post-independence eras, with a decadal census conducted from 1951 until 2011. However, the current census has been pending for the last three years, with the government yet to announce a date for the process. Initially deferred due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 census has not seen any progress in finalising either the methodology or the timeline.
Census data plays a crucial role in understanding the demographics of the country and its States, including population distribution based on religious identity and socio-economic conditions. One significant factor influencing population dynamics is migration, a trend that has notably affected Goa.
Researcher Fatima da Silva notes that in 1880, approximately 29,216 Goans – of all communities - primarily from Old Conquests, left Goa. By 1910, this number had increased to 47,334, and by 1935, around 38,788 Goan Catholics were reported absent from their homes. Various events in the 19th and 20th centuries spurred this migration. An estimate from 1954 indicated that about 1,80,000 Goans were living away from their homeland. During this period, both Hindus and Christians migrated to British India, with many women finding work as domestic staff for Parsi and British families, while men engaged in skilled and unskilled labour. Some even pursued white-collar jobs or careers in music. In Africa, Goans contributed significantly to various fields, including medicine, although they typically returned home to provide their children with a Western-style education.
Migration remains a pressing issue today, with many Goans seeking opportunities abroad in search of better living conditions. The estimated cost of living for an average family in Goa, without owning a home, ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 per month. Despite Goa having the highest per capita income in India, nearly ₹5 lakh per year, many Goans struggle to earn a monthly salary of ₹40,000. Goa’s unemployment rate stands at 10%, more than three times the national average of 3.17%, prompting many Goans to seek opportunities elsewhere, regardless of their religious or socio-economic backgrounds.
Recently, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai remarked on the decline of the Christian population in Goa, stating it has dropped from 36% to 25%. His comments sparked controversy, leading him to clarify that he was referring to the “brain drain” of the Catholic population rather than demographic changes affecting any specific community.
Post-Liberation, many Goans migrated to the Arab world and Muslim countries, and benefitted from substantial foreign remittances. In the last two decades, changes in Portuguese citizenship laws have allowed Goans with ancestral ties to the Portuguese regime to obtain citizenship, granting them access not only to Portugal but also to the broader European Union. Although Brexit has restricted access to the UK for Portuguese passport holders, other EU countries remain open. This migration offers income opportunities that are often atleast three to four times higher than what they could earn in Goa.
Today, graduates and postgraduates from various fields flock to the Portuguese consulate to obtain citizenship, while institutions facilitate the migration of Goan youth seeking better livelihoods. Many Goans are now looking beyond the European Union to countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
This raises an important question highlighted by the Governor: What is the Government of Goa doing to address this significant brain drain? Many engineers graduating from Goan institutions are finding employment in neighbouring States - in cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where salaries are often double those offered in Goa. Historically, Goans have enjoyed a higher standard of living, which is reflected in GDP statistics. However, with a 10% unemployment rate, the government has struggled to provide adequate job opportunities for the youth.
Migration is no longer limited to the youth; adults and senior citizens are also seeking better lives abroad, drawn by the promise of social security and improved living conditions. Despite Goa’s high literacy rate and quality educational institutions, many Goans find it challenging to secure employment that meets their basic needs. The high cost of living drives migration across religious lines. The vacuum is filled by people migrating from different corners of the country into Goa.
This demographic change raises concerns about the cultural identity of Goa, which many feel is gradually eroding. The heads of religious communities and the youth of Goa must demand rightful and gainful employment opportunities from the government, which has failed to address this issue adequately. Despite thousands of vacancies in the government sector, youth remain unemployed. There has been a lack of initiatives to create self-employment opportunities or attract businesses that could provide lucrative jobs for local youth.
Addressing the challenges of demographic change and brain drain requires the government to create employment opportunities that align with the lifestyle aspirations of Goans living abroad.