Demographics of Karnataka: Difference between revisions

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'''[[Karnataka]]''', with a total population of 61,100,000, is one of the major states in [[South India]]. [[Kannada]] is the official language of Karnataka.<ref name="official">{{cite web|url=http://dpal.kar.nic.in/26%20of%201963%20(E).pdf|title=The Karnataka Official Language Act|work=Official website of Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation|publisher=Government of Karnataka|access-date=2007-06-29}}</ref> Other linguistic minorities in the state are [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Kodava language|Kodava]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]] and [[Urdu]].<ref name="demographics">{{cite web|url=http://www.languageinindia.com/dec2002/urduinkarnataka.html|title=Urdu in Karnataka|work=A. R. Fatihi, PhD on Language in India|publisher= Central Institute of Indian Languages|access-date=2007-06-29}}</ref> Karnataka is also in the forefront of population control measures with the world's first two [[birth control]] clinics being set up in 1930 in the [[Mandya district]].<ref name="health">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2118/stories/20040910002909100.htm|title=Envisaging a healthy growth|work=Online Webpage of the Frontline|publisher=The Hindu|access-date=2007-06-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5xa3CvJ2e?url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2118/stories/20040910002909100.htm|archive-date=2011-03-30}}</ref>
{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->'''[[Karnataka]]''', with a total population of 61,100,000, is one of the major states in [[South India]]. [[Kannada]] is the official state language,<ref name="official">{{cite web|url=http://dpal.kar.nic.in/26%20of%201963%20(E).pdf|title=The Karnataka Official Language Act|work=Official website of Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation|publisher=Government of Karnataka|access-date=2007-06-29}}</ref> while other linguistic minorities in the state include [[Kodava language|Kodava]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]] and [[Urdu]].<ref name="demographics">{{cite web|url=http://www.languageinindia.com/dec2002/urduinkarnataka.html|title=Urdu in Karnataka|work=A. R. Fatihi, PhD on Language in India|publisher= Central Institute of Indian Languages|access-date=2007-06-29}}</ref> Karnataka is also at the forefront of [[Human population planning|population control]] measures, with the first two [[birth control]] clinics in history opening in 1930 in the [[Mandya district]].<ref name="health">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2118/stories/20040910002909100.htm|title=Envisaging a healthy growth|work=Online Webpage of the Frontline|publisher=The Hindu|access-date=2007-06-21|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728040237/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2118/stories/20040910002909100.htm|archive-date=2011-07-28}}</ref>


==Population==
==Population==
According to the 2011 census of India, the total population of Karnataka is 6.25 crores. Of this, 50.9% are male and 49.1% are female. There is a decadal increase in population of 17.3% from 1991 to 2001. As per 2011 census, the Population density is 319 per km², the sex ratio is 973 females to 1000 males and 38.67% of the people in Karnataka live in urban areas. The literacy rate is 75.4% (as per the 2011 census). As per the 2001 census, the eight largest cities of Karnataka in order of their population are [[Bengaluru]], [[Hubballi]]-[[Dharwad]], [[Mysuru]], [[Belagavi]], [[Kalburgi]], [[Mangaluru]], [[Davanagere]]  and [[Ballari]].<ref name="pop">{{cite web|url=http://municipaladmn.kar.nic.in/AreapopE.htm |title=Population of Corporation/CMC/TMC/TP, Population 2001 Census |work=Online Webpage of the Directorate of Municipal Administration |publisher=Government of Karnataka |access-date=2007-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410005106/http://municipaladmn.kar.nic.in/AreapopE.htm |archive-date=2009-04-10 }}</ref> The state has one of the largest populations of [[Anglo-Indians]] in India. Given below is a composite table of languages and religions of Karnataka at the [http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2011/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm census 2001]
{{Also see|Ethnic groups in Karnataka}}
languages in karnataka
At the time of the 2011 [[Census of India]], the total population in Karnataka was 6.25 [[Crore|crores]] (a crore equates to 10 million), with 50.9% being males and 49.1% females. There was a decadal population increase of 17.3% between 1991 and 2001. As per the 2011 census, the [[population density]] is 319 per km², the [[sex ratio]] is 973 females to 1,000 males, and 38.67% of the people in Karnataka live in urban areas.  


[[Bengaluru Urban]] and [[Belagavi district|Belagavi]] are the most populous Districts, each of them having a population of more than three million. [[Gadag district|Gadaga]], [[Chamarajanagara District|Chamarajanagara]] and [[Kodagu]] districts have a population of less than a million.
The literacy rate in Karnataka was 75.4% at the time of the 2001 census; the eight most-populous cities of the state, in-order from highest to lowest total population, were [[Bengaluru]], [[Hubballi]]-[[Dharwad]], [[Mysuru]], [[Belagavi]], [[Kalburgi]], [[Mangaluru]], [[Davanagere]]  and [[Ballari]].<ref name="pop">{{cite web|url=http://municipaladmn.kar.nic.in/AreapopE.htm |title=Population of Corporation/CMC/TMC/TP, Population 2001 Census |work=Online Webpage of the Directorate of Municipal Administration |publisher=Government of Karnataka |access-date=2007-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410005106/http://municipaladmn.kar.nic.in/AreapopE.htm |archive-date=2009-04-10 }}</ref> [[Bengaluru Urban]] and [[Belagavi district|Belagavi]] are the most populous Districts, each of them having a population of more than three million. [[Gadag district|Gadaga]], [[Chamarajanagara District|Chamarajanagara]] and [[Kodagu]] districts have a population of less than one million. Karnataka has one of the largest populations of [[Anglo-Indians]] in India. Seen below is a composite table of languages and religions of the state at the [http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2011/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm census of 2001].


===Religion===
===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Karnataka}}
{{bar box
{{bar box
|title=[[Religion in Karnataka]]<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
|title=[[Religion in Karnataka]]<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
Line 14: Line 15:
|float=right
|float=right
|bars=
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hindu]]|Orange|84}}
{{bar percent|[[Hindu]]|Orange|84.00}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslim]]|Green|12.92}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslim]]|Green|13.00}}
{{bar percent|[[Christians|Christian]]|DodgerBlue|1.9}}
{{bar percent|[[Christians|Christian]]|DodgerBlue|1.80}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|1.2}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|1.20}}
}}
}}


According to [[2011 Census of India]], 84.0% of the population are [[Hindu]], 12.92% are [[Muslim]], 1.93% are [[Christians|Christian]], 0.7% are [[Jain]]s, 0.2% are [[Buddhist]], <0.1% are [[Sikhs]], and remaining belong to other religions.<ref name="census2011"/> Karnataka is also the location of some of tribes like, Nayaka, Soliga, and Yerava. The [[joint family]] system is prevalent in the rural areas of Karnataka and there are extreme cases like the [[Narasinganavar family|Narasinganavars]] who reside in the [[Dharwad district]] and are recognised as one of the largest undivided families in the world.
At the time of the [[2011 Census of India]], 84.0% of the population were [[Hindu]], 13.00% [[Muslim]], 1.80% [[Christians|Christian]], 0.7% [[Jain]], 0.2% [[Buddhist]], <0.1% [[Sikhs]], with the remaining percentage belonging to other religions.<ref name="census2011"/> Karnataka is also the location of some tribes, such as the Nayaka, [[Soliga people|Soliga]], and [[Ravula|Yerava]]. The [[joint family]] system is prevalent in the rural areas of Karnataka; there are extreme cases, like the [[Narasinganavar family|Narasinganavars]], who reside in the [[Dharwad district]], and are recognised as one of the largest undivided families in the world.


{|class="wikitable sortable"  style="text-align: right;"
{|class="wikitable sortable"  style="text-align: right;"
|+ Religion in Karnataka
|+ Religion in Karnataka
!Religion !! 2001<ref name="religion1">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm|title=Total population by religious communities|publisher=Censusindia.gov.in|access-date=20 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119031333/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm|archive-date=19 January 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> !! 2011<ref name="religion2">{{cite web|publisher=Census Department, Government of India|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/c-01.html|title=Indian Census 2011|access-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913045700/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|archive-date=13 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" |Religion !! colspan="2" | 2001<ref name="religion1">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm|title=Total population by religious communities|publisher=Censusindia.gov.in|access-date=20 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119031333/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm|archive-date=19 January 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> !! colspan="2" | 2011<ref name="religion2">{{cite web|publisher=Census Department, Government of India|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/c-01.html|title=Indian Census 2011|access-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913045700/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|archive-date=13 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="religion1" />
|-
|-
| Hinduism || 44,321,279 || 51,317,472
!Population
!(%)
!Population
!(%)
|-
|-
| Islam || 6,463,127 || 7,893,065
| Hinduism || 44,321,279
|83.86|| 51,317,472
|84.00
|-
|-
| Christianity || 1,009,164 || 1,142,647
| Islam || 6,463,127
|12.23|| 7,893,065
|12.92
|-
|-
| Jainism || 412,659 || 440,280
| Christianity || 1,009,164
|1.91|| 1,142,647
|1.87
|-
|-
| Buddhism || 393,300 || 95,710
| Jainism || 412,659
|0.78|| 440,280
|0.72
|-
|-
| Sikhism || 15,326 || 28,773
| Buddhism || 393,300
|0.74|| 95,710
|0.16
|-
|-
| Other || 115,460 || 11,263
| Sikhism || 15,326
|0.03|| 28,773
|0.05
|-
|-
| Not stated || n/a || 166,087
| Other || 115,460
|0.22|| 11,263
|0.02
|-
|-
| Total || 52,850,562 || 61,095,297
| Not stated || {{N/a}}
|{{N/a}}|| 166,087
|0.27
|-
| Total || 52,850,562  
| || 61,095,297
|
|}
|}


{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right;"
===Caste and Communities===
|+ Religion in Karnataka (%)
Just like other Ethnolinguistic groups in India, [[Kannada people|Kannada speaking people]] also form a number of distinct communities. The two single biggest communities numerically are the [[Lingayat]] and the [[Vokkaliga]] from North and South Karnataka respectively,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/in-karnataka-five-communities-with-4-population-will-fall-under-ews-quota/article66111568.ece|title=In Karnataka, five communities with 4% population will faller EWS quota|newspaper=The Hindu |date=8 November 2022 }}</ref> while Scheduled Castes make up the largest cohesive group of communities. There are also numerous OBC (other backward communities) including the former [[Pastoralism|pastoralist]] community of [[Kuruba]], Scheduled Tribes like the Boya/Valmiki, scheduled castes like Banjara and Adi Karnataka. [[Karnataka Brahmin|Kannada Brahmins]] are divided into several communities.<ref name="Ramaswamy2007">{{cite book|author=Harish Ramaswamy|title=Karnataka Government and Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UM3LjKo8Uo8C&pg=PA397|year=2007|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-397-7|pages=398–399}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Karnataka State Gazetteer: Mysore|publisher=Director of Print, Stationery and Publications at the Government Press|year=1988|page=157|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7yQLAQAAIAAJ}}</ref> Although historically [[Jainism]] in Karnataka had dominant presence, Kannada Jains today form a small minority.<ref>Jainism and Karnataka Culture by Shripad Rama Sharma|page 13|2017</ref>
!Religion !! 2001<ref name="religion1"/> !! 2011<ref name="religion1"/>
 
In Karnataka, Only 4 communities — Brahmin, Jain, Aryavaishya, Nagarthas — are outside the existing reservation matrix.
 
There are approximately 42 lakhs [[Brahmin]] (nearly 7% of population) and majority are concentrated in [[Bengaluru]] (approximately 15 lakhs). The Brahmins of Karnataka are [[Smarta tradition|Smarta]], [[Madhva Brahmin|Madhva]] and [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnavites.]] There are [[Saraswat Brahmin]] concentration in [[Coastal Karnataka]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kalappa |first=Bansy |date=2025-08-07 |title=Brahmins fear sub-sects will dilute community numbers in Karnataka caste census |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2025/Aug/29/brahmins-fear-sub-sects-will-dilute-community-numbers-in-karnataka-caste-census |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
 
===Languages===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Government Census On Language
!Language
![[2001 census of India|2001]]( %)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Language in India 2001 |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124150312/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm |archive-date=24 November 2007 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.censusindia.gov.in}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Language Atlas 2001 Flip Book |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/ebook/2001/mobile/index.html#p=82 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=censusindia.gov.in}}</ref>
![[2011 Census of India|2011( %)]]<ref name="census2011-langreport">{{cite web |title=Language – India, States and Union Territories |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |pages=12–14, 49 |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114073412/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kannada]]
|68.5
|66.46
|-
|[[Hindi]]
|0.6%
|1.43
|-
|[[Deccani language|Urdu]]
|10.5
|10.83
|-
|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|5.00
|5.84
|-
|-
| Hinduism || 83.86 || 84.00
|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]
|3.2
|3.45
|-
|-
| Islam || 12.23 || 12.92
|[[Tulu language|Tulu]]
|2.1
|2.61
|-
|-
| Christianity || 1.91 || 1.87
|[[Marathi language|Marathi]]
|3.40
|3.80
|-
|-
| Jainism || 0.78 || 0.72
|[[Lambadi]]
|
|1.59
|-
|-
| Buddhism || 0.74 || 0.16
|[[Malayalam]]
|0.13
|1.22
|-
|-
| Sikhism || 0.03 || 0.05
|Beary
|1.3
|
|-
|-
| Other || 0.22 || 0.02
|[[Konkani language|Konkani]]
|1.0  
|1.29
|-
|-
| Not specified || n/a || 0.27
|Others
|2.71
|1.99
|}
|}
===Languages===
Government Census (2001)<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm Indischer Zensus 2001] Government Census (2011)</ref> Kannada 68.5 %, Urdu 10.5 %, Telugu 6.2 %,Tamil 3.2 %, Tulu 2.1 %, Hindi 2.6%, Konkani 1.0 %, Beary 1.3 %, other 4.1 %.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm Government Census (2011)]</ref>


== Districts ==
== Districts ==
{| class="navbox collapsible " style="text-align: left; border: 0px; margin-top: 0.2em;"
|-
! style="background-color: #ffd8a0;" | Population of districts of Karnataka as per 2001 census
|-
|
[[Image:Popkar.jpg|right|400px]]
[[Image:Popkar.jpg|right|400px]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="0" bgcolor="#F5F5F5"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan=3 | Population of districts of Karnataka<br>as per 2001 census
|-
|-
!District
!District
!Population
!Population
!Decadal %age growth 1991 -> 2001
!Decadal %age growth 1991 -> 2001
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Bangalore Urban]] || 6,537,124 ||  34.8
| [[Bangalore Urban]] || 6,537,124 ||  34.8
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Bangalore Rural]] || 1,881,514 ||  12.2
| [[Bangalore Rural]] || 1,881,514 ||  12.2
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Chitradurga District|Chitradurga]] || 1,517,896 ||  15.1
| [[Chitradurga District|Chitradurga]] || 1,517,896 ||  15.1
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Davanagere District|Davanagere]] || 1,790,952 ||  14.8
| [[Davanagere District|Davanagere]] || 1,790,952 ||  14.8
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Kolar District|Kolar]] || 2,536,069 ||  13.8
| [[Kolar District|Kolar]] || 2,536,069 ||  13.8
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Shimoga District|Shimoga]] || 1,642,545 ||  12.9
| [[Shimoga District|Shimoga]] || 1,642,545 ||  12.9
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Tumkur District|Tumkur]] || 2,584,711 ||  11.9
| [[Tumkur District|Tumkur]] || 2,584,711 ||  11.9
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Bagalkot District|Bagalkot]] || 1,651,892 ||  18.8
| [[Bagalkot District|Bagalkot]] || 1,651,892 ||  18.8
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Belgaum District|Belgaum]] || 4,214,505 ||  17.4
| [[Belgaum District|Belgaum]] || 4,214,505 ||  17.4
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur]] || 1,806,918 ||  17.6
| [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur]] || 1,806,918 ||  17.6
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Dharwad District|Dharwad]] || 1,604,253 ||  16.7
| [[Dharwad District|Dharwad]] || 1,604,253 ||  16.7
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Gadag District|Gadag]] || 971,835 ||  13.1
| [[Gadag District|Gadag]] || 971,835 ||  13.1
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Haveri District|Haveri]] || 1,439,116 ||  13.3
| [[Haveri District|Haveri]] || 1,439,116 ||  13.3
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Uttara Kannada]] || 1,353,644 ||  10.9
| [[Uttara Kannada]] || 1,353,644 ||  10.9
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-  
| [[Bellary District|Bellary]] || 2,027,140 ||  22.3
| [[Bellary District|Bellary]] || 2,027,140 ||  22.3
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Bidar District|Bidar]] || 1,502,373 ||  19.6
| [[Bidar District|Bidar]] || 1,502,373 ||  19.6
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Gulbarga District|Gulbarga]] || 3,130,922 ||  21.0
| [[Gulbarga District|Gulbarga]] || 3,130,922 ||  21.0
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Koppal District|Koppal]] || 1,196,089 ||  24.6
| [[Koppal District|Koppal]] || 1,196,089 ||  24.6
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Raichur District|Raichur]] || 1,669,762 ||  21.9
| [[Raichur District|Raichur]] || 1,669,762 ||  21.9
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Chamarajanagar District|Chamarajanagar]] || 965,462 ||  9.2
| [[Chamarajanagar District|Chamarajanagar]] || 965,462 ||  9.2
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Chikmagalur District|Chikmagalur]] || 1,140,905 ||  12.0
| [[Chikmagalur District|Chikmagalur]] || 1,140,905 ||  12.0
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Dakshina Kannada]] || 1,897,730 ||  14.5
| [[Dakshina Kannada]] || 1,897,730 ||  14.5
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Hassan District|Hassan]] || 1,721,669 ||  9.7
| [[Hassan District|Hassan]] || 1,721,669 ||  9.7
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Kodagu]] || 548,561 ||  11.6
| [[Kodagu]] || 548,561 ||  11.6
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Mandya District|Mandya]] || 1,763,705 ||  7.1
| [[Mandya District|Mandya]] || 1,763,705 ||  7.1
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Mysore District|Mysore]] || 2,641,027 ||  15.0
| [[Mysore District|Mysore]] || 2,641,027 ||  15.0
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
| [[Udupi District|Udupi]] || 1,112,243 ||  6.9
| [[Udupi District|Udupi]] || 1,112,243 ||  6.9
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
|}
|}
|}


==See also==
* [[Karnataka ethnic groups]]
* [[Kannada people]]


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
Line 147: Line 208:
{{Karnataka topics}}
{{Karnataka topics}}


[[Category:Karnataka society]]
[[Category:Society of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Demographics of India by state or union territory|Karnataka]]
[[Category:Demographics of India by state or union territory|Karnataka]]

Latest revision as of 20:33, 6 February 2026

Karnataka, with a total population of 61,100,000, is one of the major states in South India. Kannada is the official state language,[1] while other linguistic minorities in the state include Kodava, Konkani, Tulu and Urdu.[2] Karnataka is also at the forefront of population control measures, with the first two birth control clinics in history opening in 1930 in the Mandya district.[3]

Population[edit | edit source]

Template:Also see At the time of the 2011 Census of India, the total population in Karnataka was 6.25 crores (a crore equates to 10 million), with 50.9% being males and 49.1% females. There was a decadal population increase of 17.3% between 1991 and 2001. As per the 2011 census, the population density is 319 per km², the sex ratio is 973 females to 1,000 males, and 38.67% of the people in Karnataka live in urban areas.

The literacy rate in Karnataka was 75.4% at the time of the 2001 census; the eight most-populous cities of the state, in-order from highest to lowest total population, were Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalburgi, Mangaluru, Davanagere and Ballari.[4] Bengaluru Urban and Belagavi are the most populous Districts, each of them having a population of more than three million. Gadaga, Chamarajanagara and Kodagu districts have a population of less than one million. Karnataka has one of the largest populations of Anglo-Indians in India. Seen below is a composite table of languages and religions of the state at the census of 2001.

Religion[edit | edit source]

Main article: Religion in Karnataka
Religion in Karnataka[5]
Hindu
 
 84.00%
Muslim
 
 13.00%
Christian
 
 1.80%
Others
 
 1.20%

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 84.0% of the population were Hindu, 13.00% Muslim, 1.80% Christian, 0.7% Jain, 0.2% Buddhist, <0.1% Sikhs, with the remaining percentage belonging to other religions.[5] Karnataka is also the location of some tribes, such as the Nayaka, Soliga, and Yerava. The joint family system is prevalent in the rural areas of Karnataka; there are extreme cases, like the Narasinganavars, who reside in the Dharwad district, and are recognised as one of the largest undivided families in the world.

Religion in Karnataka
Religion 2001[6] 2011[7][6]
Population (%) Population (%)
Hinduism 44,321,279 83.86 51,317,472 84.00
Islam 6,463,127 12.23 7,893,065 12.92
Christianity 1,009,164 1.91 1,142,647 1.87
Jainism 412,659 0.78 440,280 0.72
Buddhism 393,300 0.74 95,710 0.16
Sikhism 15,326 0.03 28,773 0.05
Other 115,460 0.22 11,263 0.02
Not stated N/A N/A 166,087 0.27
Total 52,850,562 61,095,297

Caste and Communities[edit | edit source]

Just like other Ethnolinguistic groups in India, Kannada speaking people also form a number of distinct communities. The two single biggest communities numerically are the Lingayat and the Vokkaliga from North and South Karnataka respectively,[8] while Scheduled Castes make up the largest cohesive group of communities. There are also numerous OBC (other backward communities) including the former pastoralist community of Kuruba, Scheduled Tribes like the Boya/Valmiki, scheduled castes like Banjara and Adi Karnataka. Kannada Brahmins are divided into several communities.[9][10] Although historically Jainism in Karnataka had dominant presence, Kannada Jains today form a small minority.[11]

In Karnataka, Only 4 communities — Brahmin, Jain, Aryavaishya, Nagarthas — are outside the existing reservation matrix.

There are approximately 42 lakhs Brahmin (nearly 7% of population) and majority are concentrated in Bengaluru (approximately 15 lakhs). The Brahmins of Karnataka are Smarta, Madhva and Sri Vaishnavites. There are Saraswat Brahmin concentration in Coastal Karnataka.[12]

Languages[edit | edit source]

Government Census On Language
Language 2001( %)[13][14] 2011( %)[15]
Kannada 68.5 66.46
Hindi 0.6% 1.43
Urdu 10.5 10.83
Telugu 5.00 5.84
Tamil 3.2 3.45
Tulu 2.1 2.61
Marathi 3.40 3.80
Lambadi 1.59
Malayalam 0.13 1.22
Beary 1.3
Konkani 1.0 1.29
Others 2.71 1.99

Districts[edit | edit source]

Population of districts of Karnataka
as per 2001 census
District Population Decadal %age growth 1991 -> 2001
Bangalore Urban 6,537,124 34.8
Bangalore Rural 1,881,514 12.2
Chitradurga 1,517,896 15.1
Davanagere 1,790,952 14.8
Kolar 2,536,069 13.8
Shimoga 1,642,545 12.9
Tumkur 2,584,711 11.9
Bagalkot 1,651,892 18.8
Belgaum 4,214,505 17.4
Bijapur 1,806,918 17.6
Dharwad 1,604,253 16.7
Gadag 971,835 13.1
Haveri 1,439,116 13.3
Uttara Kannada 1,353,644 10.9
Bellary 2,027,140 22.3
Bidar 1,502,373 19.6
Gulbarga 3,130,922 21.0
Koppal 1,196,089 24.6
Raichur 1,669,762 21.9
Chamarajanagar 965,462 9.2
Chikmagalur 1,140,905 12.0
Dakshina Kannada 1,897,730 14.5
Hassan 1,721,669 9.7
Kodagu 548,561 11.6
Mandya 1,763,705 7.1
Mysore 2,641,027 15.0
Udupi 1,112,243 6.9

See also[edit | edit source]

Footnotes[edit | edit source]

Official Census Portal of Mysore District [1]

  1. ↑ "The Karnataka Official Language Act" (PDF). Official website of Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation. Government of Karnataka. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  2. ↑ "Urdu in Karnataka". A. R. Fatihi, PhD on Language in India. Central Institute of Indian Languages. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  3. ↑ "Envisaging a healthy growth". Online Webpage of the Frontline. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
  4. ↑ "Population of Corporation/CMC/TMC/TP, Population 2001 Census". Online Webpage of the Directorate of Municipal Administration. Government of Karnataka. Archived from the original on 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Population by religion community – 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Total population by religious communities". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  7. ↑ "Indian Census 2011". Census Department, Government of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "In Karnataka, five communities with 4% population will faller EWS quota". The Hindu. 8 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Harish Ramaswamy (2007). Karnataka Government and Politics. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 398–399. ISBN 978-81-8069-397-7.
  10. ↑ Karnataka State Gazetteer: Mysore. Director of Print, Stationery and Publications at the Government Press. 1988. p. 157.
  11. ↑ Jainism and Karnataka Culture by Shripad Rama Sharma|page 13|2017
  12. ↑ Kalappa, Bansy (2025-08-07). "Brahmins fear sub-sects will dilute community numbers in Karnataka caste census". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  13. ↑ "Language in India 2001". www.censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 24 November 2007. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  14. ↑ "Language Atlas 2001 Flip Book". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  15. ↑ "Language – India, States and Union Territories" (PDF). Census of India 2011. Office of the Registrar General. pp. 12–14, 49. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.

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