By Numbers

As of the 2011 Census, India’s population was 1,210.6 million, making up 17.5% of the global population. This substantial population is spread across India’s large landmass of about 3.28 million square kilometres, which only accounts for 2.4% of the world’s total land area.

State-Wise Distribution

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state, with a population of approximately 199 million, accounting for about 16% of the nation’s total population. In contrast, the Himalayan state of Sikkim has a population of just 0.6 million, and Lakshadweep has only 64,429 people. Almost half of India’s population resides in just five states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Rajasthan, the largest state by area, holds only 5.5% of India’s total population.

Population Density

Population density stands at 382 persons per square kilometres as per the 2011 data. Bihar has the highest density of 1,102 persons per sq. km, while Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest with just 17 persons per sq. km.