As per the estimates of Planning Commission, the number of persons living below the poverty line in the country has declined from 40.74 crore in 2004-05 to 27 crore in 2011-12, Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said Wednesday. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of poor people at 5.98 crore, followed by Bihar (3.58 crore).