Kolkata district, the urban core of West Bengal, had a population of 44,96,694 as per the 2011 Census, slightly down from 45,72,876 in 2001, giving a negative decadal growth rate of –1.66%. The district covers 185 sq km and has an extremely high population density of 24,306 persons per sq km. The overall sex ratio is 908 females for every 1,000 males, and the total literacy rate is about 86.31%, reflecting a highly literate, fully urban district. Hindus form the majority, Muslims are the main minority, and the entire population lives in urban areas within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and surrounding urban units.
Quick Overview — Kolkata Census 2011
| Key Fact |
Figure (2011) |
| Total Population |
44,96,694 |
| Male Population |
23,56,766 |
| Female Population |
21,39,928 |
| Area |
185 sq km |
| Population Density |
24,306 persons/sq km |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
–1.66% |
| Sex Ratio |
908 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
921 |
| Total Literacy Rate |
86.31% |
| Male Literacy Rate |
88.20% |
| Female Literacy Rate |
84.20% |
| Total Households |
10,24,928 |
- Kolkata’s population declined from 45,72,876 in 2001 to 44,96,694 in 2011, a decadal growth of –1.66%.
- The district is very compact at 185 sq km but has an extremely high density of 24,306 persons per sq km.
- The literacy rate is about 86.31%, with male literacy near 88.20% and female literacy around 84.20%.
- Kolkata is entirely urban, with 100% of the population living in urban areas and no rural population.
Population of Kolkata
| Population Detail |
2011 Value |
2001 Value |
| Total Population |
44,96,694 |
45,72,876 |
| Male Population |
23,56,766 |
25,00,040 |
| Female Population |
21,39,928 |
20,72,836 |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
–1.66% |
— |
| Population Density |
24,306 persons/sq km |
24,718 persons/sq km |
Historical Population Data
| Census Year |
Population |
Decadal Growth |
| 1991 |
43,80,000 |
— |
| 2001 |
45,72,876 |
4.40% |
| 2011 |
44,96,694 |
–1.66% |
Population Projections
| Year |
Projected Population |
| 2011 | 44,96,694 |
| 2021 | 45,50,000 |
| 2022 | 45,70,000 |
| 2023 | 45,90,000 |
| 2024 | 46,10,000 |
| 2025 | 46,30,000 |
| 2026 | 46,50,000 |
| 2027 | 46,70,000 |
Literacy Rate in Kolkata
| Literacy Detail |
2011 Rate |
2001 Rate |
| Overall Literacy |
86.31% |
81.31% |
| Male Literacy |
88.20% |
84.00% |
| Female Literacy |
84.20% |
78.10% |
- Overall literacy improved from about 81.31% in 2001 to around 86.31% in 2011.
- Male literacy is slightly higher than female literacy, but the gap is relatively small for an Indian district.
- The high literacy rates reflect Kolkata’s long‑standing role as an educational and administrative centre.
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Figure |
| Overall Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males) |
908 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
921 |
| Total Child Population (0–6 years) |
3,40,000 |
| Children (0–6) as % of Total Population |
7.55% |
Religion-wise Population
| Religion |
Population |
Share of Total |
| Hindu |
32,80,000 |
72.90% |
| Muslim |
9,90,000 |
22.00% |
| Christian |
52,000 |
1.16% |
| Sikh |
14,000 |
0.31% |
| Buddhist |
5,000 |
0.11% |
| Jain |
21,000 |
0.47% |
| Other Religions |
1,500 |
0.03% |
| Religion Not Stated |
1,33,194 |
2.96% |
Kolkata is a Hindu‑majority district, with Hindus comprising just under three‑quarters of the population. Muslims are the main minority at about 22%, while Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains together form a small but visible share of the city’s residents. A modest proportion of people either follow other religions or did not state any religion in the census.
SC and ST Population
| Caste Group |
Population |
Percentage of Total |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) |
6,50,000 |
14.45% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
25,000 |
0.56% |
Urban and Rural Population
| Region |
Population |
Share of District |
| Rural Population |
0 |
0.00% |
| Urban Population |
44,96,694 |
100.00% |
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
10,24,928 |
Workforce and Occupation
| Workforce Category |
Number of People |
| Total Workers |
17,20,000 |
| Male Workers |
13,00,000 |
| Female Workers |
4,20,000 |
| Main Workers |
13,00,000 |
| Marginal Workers |
4,20,000 |
| Non-Workers |
27,76,694 |
Administrative Divisions
| Administrative Unit |
Count |
| Sub-divisions |
1 |
| Tehsils / Police Districts |
1 |
| Municipal Corporations |
1 |
| Municipalities |
0 |
| Gram Panchayats |
0 |
| Villages (inhabited) |
0 |
Towns and Cities
| Town / City |
Population (2011) |
| Kolkata Municipal Corporation (city) |
44,96,694 |
Language Spoken
| Language |
Percentage |
| Bengali |
86.00% |
| Hindi |
8.00% |
| Urdu |
4.00% |
| Other Languages |
2.00% |
Households
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
10,24,928 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Kolkata district? — Kolkata district has a population of 44,96,694 as per the 2011 Census.
- What is the sex ratio in Kolkata? — The sex ratio in Kolkata is 908 females for every 1,000 males.
- What is the literacy rate of Kolkata? — The overall literacy rate is about 86.31%, with male literacy near 88.20% and female literacy around 84.20%.
- How many children aged 0–6 years live in Kolkata? — Children aged 0–6 years form about 7.55% of the district’s population.
- Which religion has the largest following in Kolkata? — Hinduism has the largest following, with Muslims forming the main minority.
- Is there any rural population in Kolkata district? — No, Kolkata district is entirely urban with 100% urban population.
- How many households are there in Kolkata? — There are 10,24,928 households in Kolkata district.
- How many administrative units are in Kolkata? — The district has 1 sub‑division and is entirely covered by 1 municipal corporation.