The district Malappuram in Kerala has an area of 3,554 sq.km. The population in 2021 was expected to be 4.58 million and it is estimated to reach 4.72 million by 2025. The population as per the 2011 Census was 41.1 lakh. The sex ratio of the district was 1098 females per 1000 males. The population density was 1,157 persons per sq.km. The percentage of urban population was 44.2.
Quick Overview of Malappuram District Census 2021 & Projections
- District Name: Malappuram
- State: Kerala
- Area: 3,554 sq.km
- 2021 Projected Population: 4,580,000 (45.8 lakh)
- 2025 Projected Population: 4,720,000 (47.2 lakh)
- 2026 Projected Population: 4,750,000
- 2036 Projected Population: 4,534,108
- 2011 Census Population: 4,112,920
- Sex Ratio (2011): 1,098 females/1000 males (urban: 1,101, rural: 1,096)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 965 girls/1000 boys (urban: 966, rural: 964)
- Density (2011): 1,157 persons/sq.km
- Urban Population (2011): 44.18% (1,817,211)
- Rural Population (2011): 55.82% (2,295,709)
- Total Households (2011): 793,999
- Child Pop. (0-6, 2011): 574,041 (13.96%)
Malappuram District Population Growth & Historic Data
| Census Year | Population | Growth % | Male | Female |
|---|
| 1901 | 682,151 | – | 338,000 | 344,000 |
| 1911 | 747,929 | +9.64% | 370,000 | 378,000 |
| 1921 | 764,138 | +2.17% | 375,000 | 389,000 |
| 1931 | 874,504 | +14.44% | 425,000 | 450,000 |
| 1941 | 977,085 | +11.73% | 474,000 | 503,000 |
| 1951 | 1,149,718 | +17.67% | 560,000 | 590,000 |
| 1961 | 1,387,370 | +20.67% | 674,000 | 713,000 |
| 1971 | 1,856,357 | +33.80% | 910,000 | 947,000 |
| 1981 | 2,402,701 | +29.43% | 1,171,000 | 1,232,000 |
| 1991 | 3,096,330 | +28.87% | 1,508,000 | 1,588,000 |
| 2001 | 3,625,471 | +17.09% | 1,754,576 | 1,870,895 |
| 2011 | 4,112,920 | +13.45% | 1,960,328 | 2,152,592 |
| Year | Projected Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
| 2025 | 4,720,000 | 14.76% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 4,750,000 | 15.49% | 0.73% ↑ |
| 2036 | 4,534,108 | 10.24% | 0.15% ↑ |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
|---|
| Muslim | 2,888,849 | 70.24% |
| Hindu | 1,135,259 | 27.60% |
| Christian | 81,556 | 1.98% |
| Sikh | 205 | 0.00% |
| Buddhist | 179 | 0.00% |
| Jain | 68 | 0.00% |
| Others | 579 | 0.01% |
| Not Stated | 6,225 | 0.15% |
Urban & Rural, Sex Ratio, Literacy, Child Population (2011)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child (0-6) | Avg Literacy |
| Urban |
1,817,211 |
865,020 |
952,191 |
1,101 |
966 |
253,990 |
94.22% |
| Rural |
2,295,709 |
1,095,308 |
1,200,401 |
1,096 |
964 |
320,051 |
93.06% |
| Category | Average Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Total | 93.57% | 95.76% | 91.62% |
| Urban | 94.22% | 96.31% | 92.35% |
| Rural | 93.06% | 95.32% | 91.04% |
| Muslim | 93.72% | 95.88% | 91.84% |
| Hindu | 92.93% | 95.32% | 90.67% |
| Christian | 97.75% | 98.12% | 97.41% |
SC/ST & Child Population (2011)
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 308,266 (7.5%)—Sex ratio: 1,034
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 22,990 (0.56%)—Sex ratio: 1,040
- Child Population (0–6): 574,041 (13.96%)—Child sex ratio: 965
Sex Ratio by Area/Religion (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total Population | 1,099 |
| Urban | 1,101 |
| Rural | 1,096 |
| Muslim | 1,122 |
| Hindu | 1,045 |
| Christian | 1,043 |
Languages Spoken
- Malayalam: 99.46%
- Tamil (small minority)
- Arabi Malayalam script (historic; Ponnani Script)
- Rare: Allar, Aranadan (minor Dravidian languages)
Workforce & Households
- Total Workers: 1,062,424 (25.8%)
- Male Workers: 898,157
- Female Workers: 164,267
- Total Households: 793,999
- Houseless Population: 832 (366 families)
Taluk/Subdistrict & Village List
- Area: 3,554 sq.km
- Taluks: Nilambur, Eranad, Perinthalmanna, Kondotty, Tirurangadi, Tirur, Ponnani
- Villages: 94 Gram Panchayats, 138 revenue villages
- Towns: 44
| Taluk | Area(km²) | Population | Villages | Urbanisation(%) |
|---|
| Ponnani | 200 | 379,798 | 11 | 57.36% |
| Tirur | 448 | 928,672 | 30 | 48.73% |
| Tirurangadi | 290 | 631,906 | 17 | 90.40% |
| Kondotty | 258 | 410,577 | 12 | 43.10% |
| Eranad | 491 | 581,512 | 23 | 37.93% |
| Perinthalmanna | 506 | 606,396 | 24 | 21.73% |
| Nilambur | 1,343 | 574,059 | 21 | 8.08% |
Urban Agglomerations (2011)
| Urban Agglomeration | Population | Male | Female |
|---|
| Malappuram UA | 1,699,060 | 808,406 | 890,654 |
Socio-Economic, Education, Health & Culture
- Most populous district in Kerala, very high density
- Home to 4 universities incl. Calicut; educational hub, school counts highest in state
- Above average literacy, pioneer of e-literacy, cyber literacy
- Main rivers: Bharathappuzha, Chaliyar, Kadalundippuzha, Tirur Puzha
- Migrants and remittances significant for local economy (Gulf boom)
- Oldest teak plantation (Nilambur Teak, GI tag); rich forests, hills; high rainfall
- Strong agriculture in coconut, cashew, rubber, paddy, pepper, teak...
- Industry: Food processing, IT, rubber, timber, textiles, electronics, Ayurveda, baby garments
- Largest number of Gram Panchayats (94) & municipalities (12) in Kerala
- Transportation: National Highways 66, 966, broad rail coverage, air via Calicut Airport
- Healthcare: Govt Med. College (Manjeri); allopathy, Ayurveda, homeopathy; Arya Vaidya Sala (Kottakkal)
- Tourism: Biyyam Kayal, Kottakkunnu, beaches, waterfalls, bird sanctuaries, temples, eco-villages, historical sites
- Notable people: Thunchath Ezhuthachan, Vallathol Narayana Menon, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, K.T. Muhammed, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Aryadan Muhammed, Balamani Amma, etc
- Culture: Blend of Kerala, Arab, Persian; Pathiri, Malabar biryani, Kathakali (Vettathu Tradition)
- Demand for bifurcation: Movement for coastal 'Tirur' district
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Malappuram's population (2011/2021/2025/2036)?
A: 2011: 4,112,920; 2021: 4,580,000; 2025: 4,720,000; 2036: 4,534,108 projected
- Q: Religion/SC/ST/sex ratio stats?
A: Muslim: 70.24%; Hindu: 27.60%; SC: 7.5%; ST: 0.56%; sex ratio: 1,098
- Q: Urban/rural breakdown?
A: Urban: 44.18%; Rural: 55.82%
- Q: What are literacy and child population rates?
A: Literacy: 93.57% overall; urban: 94.22%; rural: 93.06%; child pop (0–6): 574,041 (13.96%)
- Q: Key taluks/villages/cities?
A: 7 taluks listed, 94 Gram Panchayats, 44 towns, 138 revenue villages
- Q: Languages spoken?
A: Malayalam 99.46%, Arabi Malayalam script historic; Allar, Aranadan, Tamil (minor)
- Q: Workforce/household stats?
A: 1,062,424 workers (25.8%), 793,999 households, 832 houseless
- Q: Major rivers, geography?
A: Bharathappuzha, Chaliyar, Kadalundi, Tirur; hills, forests, coastal plain, Western Ghats, high rainfall