On May 7, the Indian state of Goa headed to the polls. With two parliamentary seats - North Goa and South Goa, the state witnessed a split victory in the 2019 general elections, with the BJP and the Congress each securing one seat.
Despite its small size, Goa's significance extends beyond its compact geography and population of 1.5 million spread across 3,702 square kilometers.
11 lakh voters in Goa are eligible to cast their votes in the North Goa and South Goa seats.
In North Goa, BJP's Shripad Naik faces Congress' Ramakant Khalap, while in South Goa, entrepreneur Pallavi Dempo contests against Congress' Viriato Fernandes. Currently, the South Goa seat is held by Congress' Francisco Sardinha.
A total of 16 candidates, eight in each constituency, vie for victory.
Campaign trails witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the BJP, while the Congress enlisted senior leaders Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Khera.
Read more: Goa votes: BJP-Congress clash as polling begins for Lok Sabha seats (newsarenaindia.com)
Ranked as the fourth-smallest state by population and the smallest by land area, its socio-economic profile distinguishes it on a national scale.
Here are seven socio-economic insights regarding Goa:
1.Goa stands out as India's wealthiest state, boasting a per capita income of approximately Rs 6.75 lakh (over $8,000), nearly three times higher than the national average. With a total Gross State Domestic Product exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore (over $12 billion), its economic prowess is evident.
2. The projected growth rates for Goa's economy are impressive, with an anticipated 13.73% growth rate for 2023-24, surpassing India's estimated growth rate of 7.6% for the same period.
3. Goa shines on India's Social Progress Index, ranking as the third-best performing state after Puducherry and Lakshadweep. Notably, Goa leads in the 'Water and Sanitation' component, reflecting its commitment to social advancement.
4. Goa has made significant strides in poverty reduction, as evidenced by a remarkable decrease in the multi-dimensional poverty rate from 3.76% in 2015-16 to 0.84% in 2019-21, positioning it as one of the least impoverished states in India.
5. Tourism serves as the cornerstone of Goa's economy, contributing over 16% to the state GDP and employing a substantial portion of the population.
With over eight million visitors last year, including a notable surge in foreign tourists, tourism remains a vital economic driver.
6. While tourism flourishes, mining, historically a key sector, faced setbacks in 2018 due to the Supreme Court's decision to nullify 88 mining licenses.
Despite once contributing about 20% to the state GDP, by 2022, its share had dwindled to approximately four percent, impacting employment opportunities.
7. Goa's export readiness is noteworthy, ranking 16th in the Export Preparedness Index. Leading among smaller states and Union Territories, Goa demonstrates strong potential for export growth, particularly evident in its robust 'Export Promotion Policy' and 'Institutional framework'
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