The percentage of the urban population in Bihar as per the 1991 Census is . Till 1991 Census, the composite state of Bihar was the second most populous state in the country next only to Uttar Pradesh. However, after bifurcation of the state of Bihar and the creation of thenew state of Jharkhand, the rank of Bihar among the states of India has slipped down to third, the states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra occupying the first and the second position respectively.