Demographics of Kerala

Kerala is a state in south-western India. Most of Kerala's 34.8 million people (in 2011) are ethnicity Malayalis (Malayalam speakers). Most of the Malayalam and English speaking Keralites derive their ancestry from Dravidian communities that settled in Kerala. Additional ancestries derive from several centuries of contact with non-Indian lands, whereby people of Arab, Jewish, and other ethnicities settled in Kerala. Many of these immigrants intermarried with native Malayalam speakers resulting in formation of many Christians and Muslims in Kerala.[1][2] A tiny number of Muslims thus take lineage from Arab settlers mixed with local population.

Malayalam is Kerala's official language and is spoken by at least 96% of the people of Kerala; the next most common languages are English and Tamil, spoken mainly by migrant workers from North and eastern parts of India and also from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Tulu and Kannada is spoken in most parts of the northern district of Kasaragod, adjoining Karnataka. In addition, Kerala is home to 321,000 indigenous tribal Adivasis (1.10% of the populace).[3] Some 63% of tribals reside in the eastern districts of Wayanad (where 35.82% are tribals), Palakkad (1.02%), and Idukki (15.66%).[4] These groups, including the Irulars, Kurumbars, and Mudugars,[5] speak their own native languages.[6][7][8] Cholanaikkan tribe in the Silent Valley National Park were contacted only in the 1970s and they are the most isolated tribe in the state.

Population
Population density of Kerala
Kerala's districts, shaded by population density (inhabitants per km².
Kerala's districts, shaded by population density.
Source: (GOK 2001).

Kerala is home to 2.76% of India's population, and at 859 persons per km²;[9] its land is three times as densely settled as the rest of India. However, Kerala's population growth rate is far lower than the national average, although Kerala's population more than doubled between 1951 and 1991 — adding 15.6 million people to reach a total of 29.1 million residents in 1991 — the population stood at 31.8 million by 2001 and 33.3 million in 2011.[9] Kerala's people are most densely settled in the coastal region, leaving the eastern hills and mountains comparatively sparsely populated.[10]

Hinduism is followed by the majority of Keralites (54.7%). The major religions followed in Kerala are Hinduism (54.7% — Hinduism in Kerala), Islam (26.6%) and Christianity (18.4%).[11]

Kerala also had a tiny Jewish population until recently, said to date from 587 BC when they fled the occupation of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.[12] The 2001 Indian census recorded only 51 Jews in Kerala. The synagogue in Kochi is the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations.

The state has many famous temples, mosques, and churches. The oldest church in India is found in Kerala, believed to be established by St. Thomas, the disciple of Jesus Christ and the Cheramaan Juma Mosque is considered to be the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent which was built by an Islamic missionary Malik Dinar.

Historical Population
Year Population Decadal growth
2011 33406061 4.91
2001 31841374 9.43
1991 29098518 14.32
1981 25453680 19.24
1971 21347375 26.29
1961 16903715 24.76
1951 13549118 22.82
1941 11031541 16.04
1931 9507050 21.85
1921 7802127 9.16
1911 7147673 11.75
1901 639262 --

Population graph of Kerala from 1910-2020access-date=2020-05-23|website=statisticstimes.com}}</ref>

Features

Social development

Kerala ranks highest in India with respect to social development indices such as elimination of poverty, primary education and healthcare. This resulted from significant efforts begun in 1911 by the erstwhile Princely states of Cochin and Travancore to boost healthcare and education among the people and aided by the Christian missionaries. This central focus — deemed unusual in India — was then maintained after Kerala's post-independence inauguration as a state.[13] Thus, Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India of 93.91% (2011);[14] and life expectancy is now the highest in India. The suicide rates in Kerala are the highest in India.[15] As per the 2011 census, Kerala and Puducherry are the only domiciles in India with a female-to-male ratio higher than 0.99. The ratio for Kerala is 1.084 — 1084 females per 1000 males — while the national figure is 0.940.[16] It is also one of the states in India to have sub-replacement fertility.[17]

UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated Kerala as the world's first "baby-friendly state" via its "Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative". The state is also known for Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine — this traditional expertise is currently drawing increasing numbers of medical tourists. However, drawbacks to this situation includes the population's steady aging — indeed, 11.2% of Keralites are age 60 or over.[13]

Kerala's unusual socioeconomic and demographic situation was summarized by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben:[18]

Expatriation and Emigration

As of 2011, a total of 2,280,000 Keralites reside outside India. Largest populations are found in UAE (883,313) and USA (680,076).[19]

The major concentrations of expat Keralites are in the following nations: (figures as of 2011)[20]

Diversity

There are more than 2,500,000 migrants living in Kerala,[21] mostly from Assam and West Bengal, constituting more than 8% of the population. There are also migrants from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and the North East.[22]. Alarmed at this, some have even written that "of late, Kerala has been hearing more Bengali than its own local language"[23] Most of the migrants tend to concentrate around especially in Kochi and Trivandrum and Calicut [21].[24]

Studies indicate that by the time of 2016 state elections, migrants will become a crucial voting block in many of the constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Kannur districts.[25]

Lists

Class I cities

Kerala has six major cities: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam, Thrissur and Kannur. Over a third of Keralites live in these large cities (a higher percentage than any other state), and over half the population lives in urban centres.[26]

List of major cities in Kerala
No. City District Population Images No. City District Population Images
1ThiruvananthapuramThiruvananthapuram752,490 5ThrissurThrissur315,596
2KochiErnakulam601,574 6AlappuzhaAlappuzha174,164
3KozhikodeKozhikode432,097 7PalakkadPalakkad131,019
4KollamKollam349,033 8MalappuramMalappuram106,798
Source: 2011 Census of India[27][28]
As per the population within their respective Municipal Corporation/Municipality limits

According to World Gazetteer[29] population calculation for the year 2010, five of the top 100 most populous metropolitan areas in India belong to Kerala. They are Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kollam ranking 26, 43, 46, 73 and 86 respectively.

Most populous urban agglomerations

The following is a list of most populous urban agglomerations in the Kerala state of India. Population statistics indicated are as of 2011 census.[30][31][32][33]

(Note that this is a list of metropolitan population and does not indicate the city populations. For that, see List of most populous cities in India).

RankUAPopulation (2011)Population (2001)District
1Kochi2,117,9901,355,972Ernakulam
2Kozhikode2,030,519715,681Kozhikode
3Thrissur1,854,783103,122Thrissur
4Malappuram1,698,645170,409Malappuram
5Thiruvananthapuram1,679,7541,089,635Thiruvananthapuram
6Kannur1,642,892498,207Kannur
7Kollam1,110,005380,091Kollam
8Cherthala455,408141,558Alappuzha
9Kayamkulam427,09168,585Alappuzha
10Kottayam357,533172,878Kottayam
11Palakkad293,566283,369Palakkad
12Alappuzha241,072282,675Alappuzha
13Ottappalam238,23849,242Palakkad
14Kanhangad229,706129,367Kasaragod
15Kasaragod192,76175,968Kasaragod
16Changanassery127,97151,967Kottayam
17Chalakkudy114,90148,380Thrissur
18Kothamangalam114,57437,173Ernakulam

Ethnic groups
Main article: Ethnic groups in Kerala

The vast majority of residents of Kerala are Malayalis, but there are many smaller ethnic groups including Tuluvas, Tamils, Kannadigas and Konkanis. In addition, as of early 2013 there are close to 2.5 million (7.5% of state population) migrant workers from other states of India in Kerala.[34]

Religion
Main article: Religion in Kerala

Hindus constitute 54.7% of the population of Kerala, followed by Islam with 26.5% population and Christianity at third with 18.3% population as per 2011 census.

Caste/Communities
Main article: Religion in Kerala
Castes of Kerala[35][36][37][38][39]
Religion CastePopulation (%)
Hinduism Ezhavas 21.6%
Nairs 14.9%
Dheevars 3%
SCs (Dalits) 5.8%
Adivasis(STs) 1.14%
Brahmins 1%
Namboodiri Brahmins 1%
Other Backward Castes 3%
Islam 29%
Christianity 17%[40]
Others

[Vaishyas (Vanian, Vanika, Vanika Vaisya), Hindu intermediate castes, Kudumbi, Kusavan, Viswakarmas, Atheists, Jews, Buddhists, Animists, Sikhs, Parsis]

 2.10%

The Scheduled Caste (SC) population of Kerala State is 3,123,941 which is 9.8% of overall population. Scheduled Tribes in Kerala, with a population of 3.64 lakhs, constitute 1.14% of the population.[41]

Denominations groups among Christians:

Catholic church (Syrian and Latin rites) is the largest denomination among Kerala Christians. Malankara orthodox church, Jacobite Syrian orthodox church and Marthomite Syrian church denominations claim Syrian roots. Major Protestant groups are: Church of South India(C.S.I.) and various Pentecostal churches are major Protestant churches. Chaldean, Seventh Day Adventists, Salvation army etc. are some of the other denominations. Calden Syrian (paavu m pillerum)=12% Mayukh= 1%[42]

(Denominations should not be considered as caste or ethnic groups. Caste groups among Christians, which is a continuation of casteism in Hinduism, runs parallel to denominational divisions. One caste group may be spread over many denominations. One denomination may have more than one caste group in it. Person belonging to a denomination can convert to another denomination. Hence definitely these are not ethnic divisions)

Age structure
0-6 years: 3322247 or 9.95% (male 1695935/1626312 female )(2011 census)
7-14 years: 23.9%
15-59 years: 54.3%
60 years and over:12.8%
Median age
Year: 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001
Age: 19.28 19.39 21.81 24.36 28.87
Male:
Female

Urbanisation
Urbanisation Rate in Kerala
Year Rural

population

(%)

 Urban

Population

(%)

1961 84.9 15.11
1971 83.76 16.24
1981 81.26 18.74
1991 73.61 26.39
2001 74.04 25.96
2011 52.26 47.74

Birth rate
Percentage Distribution of Live Birth by Religion of the Family[43]
Religion 2017[44] %2016[45]%2015[46]%2014[47]%2013[48]%2012[49]%2011[50]%2010[51]%2009[52]%2008[53]%2007[54]%
Hindu 210,071 41.71%207,83141.88%221,22042.87%231,03143.23%236,42044.08%214,59138.99%248,61044.37%246,29745.03%247,70745.51%241,30545.04%250,09445.88%
Muslim 216,525 43.00%211,18242.55%213,86541.45%218,43740.87%214,25739.96%175,89231.96%214,09938.21%209,27638.26%204,71137.61%194,58336.32%183,79633.71%
Christian 75,335 14.96%76,20515.35%79,56515.42%83,61615.65%84,66015.78%102,54618.63%94,66416.90%88,93616.26%90,45116.62%94,17517.58%98,22018.02%
Others 1,497 0.30%8520.18%9330.18%1,1780.22%8690.16%57,21510.39%2,6710.48%6510.12%7040.13%5,1510.96%6,1081.12%
Not Stated 160 0.03%2220.04%4300.08%1960.03%1460.02%1670.03%2240.04%1,8060.33%7750.14%5240.10%6,9361.27%
Total 503,588 100%496,292100%516,013100%534,458100%536,352100%550,411100%560,268100%546,964100%544,348100%535,738100%545,154100%

17.1 births/1,000 population (1994-2001 est.)

Birth Rate was 17.1 in 1994-2001 (20.3 in 1984-1990 & 25.0 in 1974-1980). Pathanamthitta (14.5 in 1994-2001, 17.2 in 1984-1990 & NA in 1974-1980) had the lowest TBR and Malappuram(22.4, 29.5 & 33.6) had the highest TBR.

According to the 2011 Census, the Thiruvalla taluk is having the lowest birth rate and the Tirurangadi taluk is having the highest birth rate.[55]

Lowest Birth Rate (2011):

  1. Thiruvalla - 10.63 per 1,000
  2. Mallappally - 10.69 per 1,000
  3. Kozhenchery - 10.86 per 1,000
  4. Chengannur - 10.93 per 1,000
  5. Adoor - 11.09 per 1,000

Highest Birth Rate (2011):

  1. Tirurangadi - 19.99 per 1,000
  2. Ernad - 19.68 per 1,000
  3. Perinthalmanna - 19.43 per 1,000
  4. Tirur - 19.16 per 1,000
  5. Nilambur - 18.34 per 1,000

Vital stats for the year 2011:[56]

Community Pop Births Birth Rate Deaths Death Rate NGR%
Total 33,406,061 560,268 16.77 245,002 7.33 0.94%
Hindu 18,282,492 248,610 13.60 148,097 8.10 0.55%
Muslim 8,873,472 214,099 24.13 45,305 5.11 1.90%
Christian 6,141,269 94,664 15.41 50,365 8.20 0.72%
  • In 2007, 61.55% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 17.50% from Muslims and, 19.75% from Christians.[57]
  • In 2008, 61.01% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 17.82% from Muslims and, 20.06% from Christians.[58]
  • In 2010, 60.79% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 18.31% from Muslims and, 20.36% from Christians.[59]
  • In 2011, 60.45% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 18.48% from Muslims and, 20.56% from Christians.[56]

Net migration rate
(-)3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1991 est.)

Of the emigrants from Kerala, 42.2% were Muslims, 36.6% were Hindus and 21.2% were Christians in 1992-93. The most preferred destination was Saudi Arabia (37.8%), followed by UAE (25.9%), Other Gulf countries (13.0%), Oman (11.8%), Other Countries (7.5%) and USA(3.8%).

Sex ratio

According to the 2011 census, women outnumber men in all the districts of Kerala with the highest proportion in Kannur and Pathanamthitta districts.

DistrictsPopulationMales%Females%
Thiruvananthapuram3,301,4271,581,67847.9%1,719,74952.1%
Kollam2,635,3751,246,96847.3%1,388,40752.7%
Pathanamthitta1,197,412561,71646.8%635,69653.2%
Alappuzha2,127,7891,013,14247.6%1,114,64752.4%
Kottayam1,974,551968,28949%1,006,26251%
Idukki1,108,974552,80849.8%556,16650.2%
Ernakulam3,282,3881,619,55749.3%1,662,83150.7%
Thrissur3,121,2001,480,76347.4%1,640,43752.6%
Palakkad2,809,9341,359,47848.4%1,450,45651.6%
Malappuram4,112,9201,960,32847.7%2,152,59252.3%
Kozhikode3,086,2931,470,94247.7%1,615,35152.3%
Waynad817,420401,68449.1%415,73650.9%
Kannur2,523,0031,181,44646.8%1,341,55753.2%
Kasargod1,307,375628,61348.1%678,76251.9%

Vital Statistics
Year Infant

Mortality

Rate

(per 1000 birth)

 Crude

Birth Rate

(per 100)

 Crude

Death Rate

(per 1000)

 Natural

Growth

Rate

(per 1000)

 Maternal

Mortality Rate

(Maternal death/

100000 live birth)

 Total

Fertility

Rate

(Birth/Woman)

2000 14 17.9 6.4 11.5 1.9
2001 11 17.3 6.6 10.6 1.8
2002 10 16.9 6.4 1.8
2003 11 16.7 6.3 10.3 1.8
2004 12 15.2 6.1 95 1.7
2005 14 15.0 6.4 1.7
2006 15 14.9 6.7 1.7
2007 13 14.7 6.8 81 1.7
2008 12 14.6 6.6 1.7
2009 12 14.7 6.8 1.7
2010 13 14.8 7.0 66 --
2011 12 15.2 7.0 8.2 61 1.8
2012 12 14.9 6.9 8.0 1.8
2013 12 14.7 6.9 7.8 1.8
2014 12 14.8 6.6 46 1.9
2015 12 14.8 6.6 8.2 42 1.8
2016 10 14.3 7.6 6.8 1.8
2017 10 14.2 6.8 7.3
2018 7 13.9 6.9 7.1 31 (est)

[60] Life expectancy at birth
78 years

In 1991, Kerala had the lowest TFR (Children born per women) in the whole of India. Hindus had a TFR of 1.66, Christians had 1.78 and Muslims had 2.97. In 2000, the TFR was 1.73 with Muslims having 2.28, Nairs having a TFR of 1.47 and Syrian Christians having TFR of 1.55. TFR for Scheduled Castes was 1.52 in 1997-98 and 1.37 in 1992-93. The lowest Fertility rate recorded anywhere in India is TFR of 1.17 for Vettuvan caste in Kerala.

As per the 2011 Census, the fertility rate per community is as Hindu: 1.544 children per woman, Muslim: 2.351 and Christian: 1.716. For SC, the fertility is 1.485 and for ST, it is 1.629.[61]

For Hindus, the TFR is highest in Wayanad (1.710) and lowest in Thiruvananthapuram (1.435). For the Muslims, it is Kannur (2.779) and Pathanamthitta (1.707), while for the Christians the respective districts are Kasaragod (1.929) and Kollam (1.539).[61]

See also
  • Non-Municipal Census Towns in Kerala

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