The South Sikkim district of Sikkim had a population of about 1.47 lakh in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of around 1.69 lakh by 2025. It has an area of 750 sq km and population density of 196 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 916 females per 1000 males and the literacy rate is around 81.42 percent. The child sex ratio is 953 girls per 1000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 57.60 percent and Nepali‑related languages are the main languages spoken by the majority. The district population is about 14.44 percent urban and 85.56 percent rural, and Namchi town accounts for a large share of the urban population. There are a total of 30,543 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| Item |
Value |
Remarks |
| Total area | 750 sq km | Overall district |
| Total population 2011 | 146,850 | Base count |
| Population density | 196 per sq km | Medium density |
| Sex ratio | 916 females per 1000 males | Total district |
| Average literacy | 81.42% | Adults 7+ years |
| Urban proportion | 14.44% | Smaller urban share |
| Rural proportion | 85.56% | Mainly village‑based |
| Households | 30,543 | Families in 2011 |
Population and Historical Census Data
| Census year |
Population |
Variation % |
| 1971 | 53,190 | Base |
| 1981 | 75,980 | 42.85% |
| 1991 | 98,600 | 29.78% |
| 2001 | 131,525 | 33.39% |
| 2011 | 146,850 | 11.65% |
Population Projections 2025 Onwards
| Year |
Estimated population |
Total growth from 2011 |
| 2025 | 168,615 | 14.82% |
| 2026 | 170,050 | 15.8% |
| 2027 | 171,246 | 16.61% |
| 2028 | 172,681 | 17.59% |
| 2029 | 174,116 | 18.57% |
| 2030 | 175,312 | 19.38% |
| 2031 | 176,508 | 20.2% |
| 2036 | 182,008 | 23.94% |
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Sex ratio |
Child 0–6 (girls per 1000 boys) |
| Total | 916 | 953 |
| Urban | 959 | 933 |
| Rural | 909 | 956 |
| SC community | 980 | Not stated |
| ST community | 921 | Not stated |
Child Population 0–6 Years
| Group |
Count |
Share of total |
| Total child population | 15,744 | 10.72% |
| Male children | 8,063 | Not % |
| Female children | 7,681 | Not % |
| Urban child population | 2,008 | 9.60% of urban |
| Rural child population | 13,736 | 10.93% of rural |
Literacy and Education
| Category |
Average literacy % |
Male % |
Female % |
| All ages total | 81.42 | 86.52 | 75.82 |
| Urban | 88.45 | 92.18 | 84.58 |
| Rural | 80.21 | 85.58 | 74.26 |
Literacy by Major Religions
| Religion |
Average literacy % |
Male % |
Female % |
| Hindu | 81.67 | 86.80 | 75.96 |
| Buddhist | 80.93 | 86.35 | 74.99 |
| Christian | 81.75 | 86.38 | 77.12 |
| Other religions | 77.62 | 82.34 | 72.65 |
Religion and Caste Data
| Religion |
Percentage |
Population |
| Hindu | 57.60% | 84,583 |
| Buddhist | 23.87% | 35,053 |
| Christian | 14.61% | 21,462 |
| Muslim | 1.29% | 1,889 |
| Sikh | 0.10% | 151 |
| Jain | 0.03% | 45 |
| Other religions | 2.16% | 3,176 |
| Not stated | 0.33% | 491 |
| Caste |
Share of total |
Population |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 4.12% | 6,053 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 28.19% | 41,392 |
- SC and ST together form more than three‑tenths of people
- ST people are twice as many as SC people
- SC sex ratio is higher than overall district
- ST sex ratio is near‑balanced compared to many regions
Urban and Rural Distribution
| Type |
Population |
Share in total |
| Total population | 146,850 | 100% |
| Urban | 21,199 | 14.44% |
| Rural | 125,651 | 85.56% |
- Rural population far exceeds urban population
- Urban literacy is higher than rural literacy
- Sex ratio is better in urban areas
- Child population share is slightly lower in urban areas
Area, Households and Settlements
| Item |
Value |
| Total area | 750 sq km |
| Population density | 196 per sq km |
| Households | 30,543 |
| Towns | 2 |
| Villages | 148 |
Sub‑districts and Administrative Units
| Unit type |
Number |
Notes |
| Sub‑districts (tahsils) | 3 | Main revenue blocks |
| Villages | 148 | Rural habitations |
| Towns | 2 | Namchi and one other town |
Workforce and Economic Profile
| Item |
Number |
Share in total |
| Total workers | 74,753 | 50.9% |
| Male workers | 45,300 | Not % |
| Female workers | 29,453 | Not % |
- About half of population is in working age group
- More than half of workers are male
- Agriculture and small‑scale trade dominate rural work
- Government, education and small services are key urban jobs
City and Town Population Details
| Urban centre |
Population |
Male / Female |
| Namchi (main town) | Part of 21,199 urban | Most urban people live here |
| Other small town | Remaining urban total | Smaller urban habitations |
Houseless and Marginal Households
| Item |
Number |
Share of total |
| Houseless families | 14 | Very small |
| Houseless persons | 56 | 0.038% |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: What was the population of South Sikkim in 2011
- Answer: About 1.47 lakh people lived in South Sikkim district in 2011.
- Question: Is South Sikkim more urban or rural
- Answer: About 86 percent people live in rural villages and 14 percent in urban areas.
- Question: Which religion has the largest share in South Sikkim
- Answer: Hindu is the largest religion, followed by about 58 percent people.