Demographics ofKerala
Population pyramid taken from the 2011 census
Population	33.4 million
Density	859 per sq.km
Growth rate	3.31% yearly (2021 estimate)
Birth rate	13.9 per 1000 pop. (2018 estimate)
Death rate	6.95 per 1000 pop. (2018 estimate)
Life expectancy
• male	75 years
• female	80.15 years
Fertility rate	1.82 births per woman
Infant mortality rate	7 per 1000 live births
Net migration rate	−0.08 per 1000 (2019 estimate)
Age structure
0–14 years	19%
15–64 years	70%
65 and over	12%
Sex ratio
Total	0.97 males/female
At birth	1.04 males/female

Kerala is a state in south-western India. Most of Kerala's 33.4 million people (as per2011 census) are ethnicallyMalayalis (Malayalam speakers).^[1] The people of Kerala trace their origins to Dravidians and Aryans and have mixed ancestry.^{[citation needed]} Additional ancestries derive from millennia of trade links across the Arabian Sea, whereby people ofArab,Jewish,Syriac,Portuguese,English,Chinese and other ethnic groups settled in Kerala. Many of these immigrantsintermarried with native Malayalam speakers resulting in formation of many Muslim and Christian groups in Kerala.^[2][3] Some Muslims and Christians thus trace their lineage to Middle Eastern and European settlers who mixed with the native population.

Malayalam is Kerala'sofficial language and is spoken by at least 97% of the people of Kerala; the next most common language is English.Tamil is spoken mainly in the districts borderingTamil Nadu, especially Idukki and Palakkad.Tulu is spoken in the northern parts of Kasaragod district. In addition, Kerala is home to 321,000 indigenous tribalAdivasis (1.10% of the populace).^[4] Some 63% of tribals reside in the eastern districts of Wayanad (where 35.82% are tribals), Palakkad (1.02%), and Idukki (15.66%).^[5] These groups, including the Paniyars, Mooppans, Irulars,Kurumbars, and Mudugars,^[6] speak their own native languages.^[7][8][9]Cholanaikkan tribe in theSilent Valley National Park werecontacted only in the 1970s and they are the most isolated tribe in the state.^[10]

Population density of Kerala

Kerala's districts, shaded by population density(inhabitants per km2)

Source:[11]

Kerala is home to 2.76% of India's population, and at 859 persons per km²;^[12] its land is three times as densely settled as the rest of India. Kerala's western coastal regions are the most densely settled with population of 2,022 persons per km², 2.5 times the overall population density of the state, 859 persons per km², leaving the eastern hills and mountains comparatively sparsely populated.^[13] However, Kerala'spopulation 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.^[12] Kerala's people are most densely settled in the coastal region, leaving the eastern hills and mountains comparatively sparsely populated.^{[citation needed]} Kerala is thesecond-most urbanised major state in the country with47.7% urban population according to the2011 Census of India.^[14]

Hinduism is followed by the majority of Keralites (54.7%). The major religions followed in Kerala areHinduism (54.7% —Hinduism in Kerala),Islam (26.6%) and Christianity (18.4%).^[15]

Kerala also had atiny Jewish population until recently, said to date from 587 BC when they fled the occupation ofJerusalem byNebuchadnezzar.^[16] The 2001 Indian census recorded only 51 Jews in Kerala. TheParadesi Synagogue inKochi is the oldest synagogue in theCommonwealth of Nations.^[17]

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 theCheramaan Juma Mosque is considered to be the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent which was built by an Islamic missionaryMalik Dinar.^{[citation needed]}

This graph was using thelegacy Graph extension, which is no longer supported. It needs to be converted to thenew Chart extension.

Source:^[18]

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 erstwhilePrincely states of Cochin andTravancore to boost healthcare and education among the people. This central focus – deemed unusual in India – was then maintained after Kerala's post-independence inauguration as a state.^[21] Thus, Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India of 93.91% (2011);^[22] and life expectancy is now the highest in India. The suicide rates in Kerala are the highest in India.^[23] As per the 2011 census, Kerala and Puducherry are the only domiciles in India with afemale-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.^[24] It is also one of the states in India to havesub-replacement fertility.^[25]

UNICEF and theWorld Health Organization (WHO) designated Kerala as the world's first "baby-friendly state" via its "Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative". The state is also known forAyurveda, a traditional system of medicine – this traditional expertise is currently drawing increasing numbers ofmedical tourists. However, drawbacks to this situation includes the population's steady ageing – indeed, 11.2% of Keralites are age 60 or over.^[21]

Kerala's unusual socioeconomic and demographic situation was summarised by author and environmentalistBill McKibben:^[26]

As of 2011, a total of 2,280,000 Keralites reside outside India. Largest populations are found in UAE (883,313) and US (68,076).^[27]

The major concentrations of expat Keralites are in the following nations:(figures as of 2011)^[28]

• UAE – 883,313
• United States – 68,076 (mainly U.S. Citizens)
• KSA – 574,739
• Oman – 195,300
• Qatar – 410,000
• Kuwait – 127,782
• Bahrain – 216,000
• United Kingdom – 44,640
• Canada – 28,000
• Australia – 50,000
• Portugal – 2,000
• Italy – 25,000
• Germany – 10,000

There are more than 2,500,000 migrants living in Kerala,^[29] mostly fromAssam andWest Bengal, constituting more than 8% of the population. There are also migrants from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and the North East.^[30][29][31]

Studies indicate that by the time of 2026 state elections, migrants will become a crucial voting block in many of the constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Kannur districts.^[32]

According to2011 Census of India, Kerala has six1.5 million-plus urban agglomerations:Kochi,Kozhikode,Kollam,Kannur,Thiruvananthapuram, andThrissur, all of which has a population of at least 1.5 million.^[33][34][35] 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.^[36]

Thiruvananthapuram is the largest city in Kerala in terms of population

The above table lists Kerala cities in terms of their respective corporation statistics.

According to the2011 Census, 7 of the top 50most populous metropolitan areas in India belong to Kerala. They areKochi, Kozhikode, Kollam, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur andThrissur ranking 17, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 48 respectively.^[35][33]

The following is a list of most populousurban agglomerations in theKerala state of India. Population statistics indicated are as of 2011 census.^[38][39][40]

(Note that this is a list of metropolitan (UA) population and does not indicate the corporation populations. Cities in India are officially ranked in terms of these numbers)

The vast majority of residents of Kerala areMalayalis, but there are many smaller ethnic groups includingTuluvas,Tamils,Kannadigas,Konkanis and various tribals. 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.^[41]

Kerala is the most unilingual state of India in which about 97% of the total population speakMalayalam as theirNative language.^[42] In addition, there is a significantTamil population inIdukki district, which accounts for 17.48% of its total population.^[43]Tulu andKannada are spoken in the northern portions ofKasaragod district, each of which account for 8.77% and 4.23% of total population in the district respectively.^[43][44]Konkani speakers are scattered throughout with major concentration in Kochi and Kasargod. Kochi also as a few Gujarati and Kacchhi speakers. There are also various minor tribal languages like Irula, Kuruma, Malavedan, Kanikkaran, Kurichiya etc found in the mountainous regions particularly in Wayanad and Idukki. Dakhini Urdu is spoken In Manjeshwar, Uppala and Kasaragod by the muslim population.

Hindus constitute 54.7% of the population of Kerala, followed by Islam with 26.6% population and Christianity at third with 18.4% population as per 2011 census.

Sources:^{[49][50][51][52]}

Sources:^[53][54]

The SC population of Kerala is 3,123,941 which is 9.80% of overall population. ST in Kerala, with a population of 364,000 constitute 1.14% of the population.^[55]

Denominations groups among Christians:^[56]

Catholic church (Roman, Latin and Malankara) is the largest denomination among Kerala Christians. Orthodox, Jacobite and Marthoma denominations claim Syrian roots. Major Protestant groups include CSI, various Pentecostal churches. Chaldean Syrian, Seventh Day Adventists, Salvation Army are some other denominations.^{[57][58][59][60][61][62]}

Kerala has approximately 35 distinct scheduled tribes that constitute 1.3% of the population. Though entirely unique, their languages are often not highlighted as distinct in the census. The Paniyan, who are the numerically dominant tribe, live in north east of the state and practice settled cultivation. The Kattunaikan, Kurichian and Kuruman belong to the same region. Palleyan, Palliyan and Palliyar inhabit the Idukki region not far from the Anamalai and Palani hills of Tamil Nadu where you find the same population. The Kadar, Irular, Kurumbas, Maha malasar and Malasar inhabit the Palghat region close to their counterparts in Niligiri and Anamalai hills of Tamil Nadu. The same is the case of the Kudiya and Koraga living in the northern most tip of the state next to Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada region of Karnataka.^[63]

• 
  Total number of tribal communities
• 
  Tribes of North Kerala
• 
  Tribes of Central-South Kerala
• 
  Tribes of South Kerala

(2011 census)

0–6 years: 9.95%

7–14 years: 23.9%

15–59 years: 54.3%

60 years and over:12.8%

• Source:Kerala Department of Economics and Statistics | Vital statistics

Birth data by religion

17.1 births/1,000 population (1994–2001 est.)^[84]

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,Thiruvalla taluk has the lowest birth rate andTirurangadi taluk has the highest birth rate.^[85]

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:^[86]

• In 2007, 61.55% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 17.50% from Muslims and, 19.75% from Christians.^[87]
• In 2008, 61.01% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 17.82% from Muslims and, 20.06% from Christians.^[88]
• In 2010, 60.79% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 18.31% from Muslims and, 20.36% from Christians.^[89]
• In 2011, 60.45% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 18.48% from Muslims and, 20.56% from Christians.^[86]
• In 2018, 60.54% of the deaths were reported from Hindus, 19.15% from Muslims and, 19.86% from Christians.^[70]

(-)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%).^[90]

According to the 2011 census, women outnumber men in all thedistricts of Kerala with the highest proportion inKannur andPathanamthitta districts.

Life expectancy at birth is 78 years.^[91]

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.^[92]

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.^[93]

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).^[93]

• Non-Municipal Census Towns in Kerala
• Demographics of Malabar
• Demographics of Travancore
• History of Kerala
• Geography of Kerala
• Economy of Kerala
• Kerala Gulf diaspora
• Migrant labourers in Kerala
• Unemployment in Kerala

• Society of Kerala
• Demographics of India by state or union territory
• Kerala-related lists

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