Demographic Advantage

According to the 2011 Census, the total population of Sikkim stood at 607,688, and the population density of the state was 86 per sq km. Out of the total population, the male population stood at 321,661, the female population at 286,027, the rural population at 455,962, and the urban population at 151,726. As per the Sample Registration System Bulletin 2020, the state has a lower birth rate of 15 per 1,000 people than the national average of 19, and the death rate is 4 per 1,000 people against that of India's 6. The infant mortality rate of the state is 5 per 1,000 live births.

The literacy rate of the state is 82.20%, out of which the male literacy rate is 87.29%, and the female is 76.43%. The worker population ratio of the state for 2022-23 was 74%.

Healthcare Facilities

As per the Rural Health Statistics (RHS) 2021-22, the state has 147 subcenters (rural), 24 primary health centers (rural), 2 primary health centers (urban), 2 community health centers (rural), 4 district hospitals, and 186 health and wellness centers.

The birth rate of Sikkim, according to the Sample Registration System Bulletin 2020, was 15 per 1000 people, and the death rate was 4 per 1000 people. The infant mortality rate was 5 per 1000 live births, and the sex ratio was 969 females per 1000 males, which was above the national average of 929.

Educational Facilities

The literacy rate of the state as per the 2011 Census is 82.2%, out of which the male literacy rate is 87.29%, and the female is 76.43%.

As per the Unified District Information System for Education 2021-22, 75,359 students are enrolled in elementary education, 23,151 in secondary education, and 17,819 in higher secondary education. The state has 685 primary schools, 307 upper primary schools, 883 government schools, 376 private schools, 9 universities, and 24 colleges. The gross enrollment ratio of Sikkim, according to the Economic Survey 2022-23, is 92.9% for elementary school, 89.1% for secondary schools, 64.2% for senior secondary schools, and 39.3% for higher education.

Technology & Advancement

The Government of Sikkim places a high priority on information technology, its enabling services, and the electronics and telecommunications sector. It also formulated Telecommunications Policy in 2020 to establish the state as a hub and preferred destination for the IT/ITeS/electronics and telecommunications industry, catalysing socioeconomic growth by leveraging IT, facilitating micro, small, and medium enterprises as key drivers of growth, with special focus on indigenous start-ups, more particularly the businesses run by women entrepreneurs. Sikkim has 2 agro export zones and 1 software technology park in Gangtok.

Infrastructure

Sikkim has a total road network of 3,668.78 km, which comprises 512 km of national highways, 732.61 km of state highways, 1,126.31 km of major district roads, 249.68 km of other district roads, and 748.18 km of village roads.

Sikkim's only airport is Pakyong Airport, which is a greenfield RCS airport and is one of the five highest airports in India. The state also benefits from Bagdogra Airport, located about 124 km from Gangtok in West Bengal.

The closest major railway stations from the state are Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri in neighboring West Bengal. A new Sivok-Rangpo railway line is under construction.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sikkim has a total renewable energy capacity of 2,341.80 MW, comprising 55.11 MW of small hydropower, 4.69 MW of solar power, and 2,282.00 MW of large hydropower.

From various sources, the state has a total power generation of 8,501.63 Mus (Mn Units), which includes 9.27 MU from small hydro and 8,492.36 MU from large hydro (excluding imports from Bhutan). Sikkim has the second-largest hydroelectric potential, at around 8000 MW, which is 3.78% of the northeastern region's overall potential.

The state has 9044 small biogas plants installed.