What is the Difference Between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh?

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are two important states in the northern Indo-Gangetic plain area of India, sharing many similarities in language and culture. However, there are differences between the two states, which can be highlighted as follows:

1. Size and Population: Uttar Pradesh is larger in area and has a higher population compared to Bihar.
2. Economy: Uttar Pradesh has an agriculture-based economy, while Bihar's economy is dependent on minerals, agriculture, and service sectors. Bihar has higher mineral reserves than Uttar Pradesh.
3. Urbanization: Uttar Pradesh has a higher urban population, with 22.28% of its residents living in urban areas, while Bihar has 11.3%.
4. Literacy Rate: Uttar Pradesh has a higher literacy rate of 67.7% compared to Bihar's 61.8%.
5. GDP and Per Capita Income: Uttar Pradesh's projected GDP in 2023-24 is ₹24.39 lakh crore, while Bihar's projected GDP is ₹8.59 lakh crore during the same period. In 2021-22, Bihar's per capita income was ₹54,383 compared to ₹79,396 for Uttar Pradesh.
6. Development: Bihar's development has been primarily concentrated in Patna, the state's capital, with about 25% of Bihar's GDP being concentrated there. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh has seen development across multiple regions.
7. Political Competition: Bihar has witnessed limited political competition to the incumbent Chief Minister, with more or less two people running the government in the last 33 years. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh has seen seven chief ministers in this period.

Despite their differences, both states share a common challenge in reducing multi-dimensional poverty and improving overall development.

Comparative Table: Bihar vs Uttar Pradesh

Here is a table highlighting the differences between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh:

Both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are important states in India, each with its own unique characteristics and development challenges. While Uttar Pradesh is generally more developed and prosperous, Bihar has been historically lagging behind in economic growth.