Why do most people in Rajasthan live in rural settlements?

Approximately three-fourths of the population in Rajasthan resides in rural settlements, a pattern largely driven by the state's economic reliance on agriculture and livestock raising.1

The agricultural sector serves as the mainstay of the state's economy, employing about two-thirds of the working population. Because farming and animal husbandry—such as the breeding of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels—are primary livelihoods, much of the population remains distributed across rural areas to manage these activities. While urban centers like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota have experienced faster growth since the late 20th century, the traditional rural lifestyle remains deeply tied to the land and the cultivation of crops such as pearl millet, sorghum, and corn.2341