Meerut district in western Uttar Pradesh had a population of 34,43,689 as per the 2011 Census, up from 29,97,361 in 2001, marking steady growth over the decade. The district covers an area of 2,559 sq km, with a population density of 1,346 persons per sq km in 2011. The sex ratio is 886 females for every 1,000 males, and the overall literacy rate stands at 72.84%, with a clear gap between male and female literacy. The child sex ratio (0–6 years) is 852 girls per 1,000 boys, indicating a more skewed balance among children. Meerut has a mixed Hindu–Muslim population, with Hindi as the main language and Urdu widely used in urban and semi‑urban areas. The district is significantly urbanised compared to many parts of Uttar Pradesh and has hundreds of villages and several towns grouped in three tehsils.
Quick Overview — Meerut Census 2011
| Key Fact |
Figure (2011) |
| Total Population |
34,43,689 |
| Male Population |
18,25,743 |
| Female Population |
16,17,946 |
| Area |
2,559 sq km |
| Population Density |
1,346 persons/sq km |
| Sex Ratio |
886 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6) |
852 |
| Overall Literacy Rate |
72.84% |
| Male Literacy Rate |
80.74% |
| Female Literacy Rate |
63.98% |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
14.89% |
| Number of Tehsils |
3 |
- Meerut’s population increased by about 15% between 2001 and 2011, crossing 34.4 lakh residents.
- The district is densely populated, with more than thirteen hundred people living in each square kilometre.
- Literacy is higher than the state average, but a notable gender gap in literacy persists.
- The sex ratio and especially the child sex ratio remain below the ideal balance, indicating gender bias.
Population of Meerut
| Population Detail |
2011 Value |
2001 Value |
| Total Population |
34,43,689 |
29,97,361 |
| Male Population |
18,25,743 |
16,01,578 |
| Female Population |
16,17,946 |
13,95,783 |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
14.89% |
— |
| Population Density |
1,346 persons/sq km |
1,171 persons/sq km (approx.) |
Historical Population Data
| Census Year |
Population |
Decadal Growth |
| 1901 | 13,06,000 | — |
| 1911 | 13,70,000 | 4.89% |
| 1921 | 13,20,000 | -3.65% |
| 1931 | 14,50,000 | 9.85% |
| 1941 | 16,10,000 | 11.03% |
| 1951 | 17,80,000 | 10.56% |
| 1961 | 20,40,000 | 14.61% |
| 1971 | 23,80,000 | 16.67% |
| 1981 | 27,40,000 | 15.97% |
| 1991 | 26,50,000 | -3.28% |
| 2001 | 29,97,361 | 13.12% |
| 2011 | 34,43,689 | 14.89% |
Population Projections
| Year |
Estimated Population |
| 2021 |
38,50,000 |
| 2022 |
38,90,000 |
| 2023 |
39,30,000 |
| 2024 |
39,70,000 |
| 2025 |
40,10,000 |
| 2026 |
40,50,000 |
| 2027 |
40,90,000 |
Literacy Rate in Meerut
| Literacy Detail |
2011 Rate |
2001 Rate |
| Overall Literacy |
72.84% |
64.79% |
| Male Literacy |
80.74% |
75.00% |
| Female Literacy |
63.98% |
53.12% |
- Overall literacy in Meerut rose by about eight percentage points between 2001 and 2011.
- Female literacy improved faster than male literacy, helping narrow the gender gap, though men still remain more literate.
- The district’s literacy rate is higher than the state average, reflecting its urban character and better educational facilities.
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Figure |
| Overall Sex Ratio (females per 1000 males) |
886 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
852 |
| Total Child Population (0–6 years) |
5,52,487 |
| Male Children (0–6 years) |
2,98,706 |
| Female Children (0–6 years) |
2,53,781 |
| Children (0–6) as % of Total Population |
16.04% |
Religion-wise Population
| Religion |
Population |
Share of Total |
| Hindu |
22,74,000 |
66.03% |
| Muslim |
11,21,000 |
32.53% |
| Christian |
14,100 |
0.41% |
| Sikh |
20,700 |
0.60% |
| Buddhist |
3,100 |
0.09% |
| Jain |
31,700 |
0.92% |
| Other Religions |
300 |
0.01% |
| Religion Not Stated |
— |
0.41% |
Meerut district has a clear Hindu majority along with a substantial Muslim population that makes up nearly one‑third of residents. Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and followers of other religions together form a small but noticeable share, especially in urban pockets.
SC and ST Population
| Caste Group |
Population |
Percentage of Total |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) |
6,24,150 |
18.12% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
2,147 |
0.06% |
Urban and Rural Population
| Region |
Population |
Share of District |
| Urban Population |
19,58,000 |
56.86% |
| Rural Population |
14,85,689 |
43.14% |
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
5,86,523 |
Workforce and Occupation
| Workforce Category |
Number of People |
| Total Workers |
11,77,245 |
| Male Workers |
9,20,314 |
| Female Workers |
2,56,931 |
| Main Workers |
9,03,800 |
| Marginal Workers |
2,73,445 |
| Non-Workers |
22,66,444 |
Administrative Divisions
| Administrative Unit |
Count |
| Tehsils / Sub‑districts |
3 |
| Towns (Urban Local Bodies) |
7 |
| Villages (revenue gram) |
663 |
Towns and Cities
| Town / City |
Remark |
| Meerut |
District headquarters and major urban centre |
Language Spoken
| Language |
Remark |
| Hindi |
Main official and everyday language |
| Urdu |
Widely used, especially in urban and Muslim communities |
Households
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
5,86,523 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Meerut district? — Meerut district has a population of 34,43,689 as per the 2011 Census.
- What is the literacy rate of Meerut? — The overall literacy rate in Meerut is 72.84%, with male literacy at 80.74% and female literacy at 63.98%.
- What is the sex ratio in Meerut district? — The sex ratio in Meerut is 886 females for every 1,000 males.
- What is the child sex ratio of Meerut? — The child sex ratio in Meerut is 852 girls for every 1,000 boys in the 0–6 age group.
- How many tehsils are there in Meerut? — Meerut district has 3 tehsils in its administrative structure.
- How densely populated is Meerut? — Meerut has a population density of 1,346 persons per square kilometre.
- Which religions are mainly followed in Meerut? — Hindus form about 66% of the population in Meerut, while Muslims account for nearly 33%.
- How urbanised is Meerut district? — Around 56.86% of Meerut’s population lives in urban areas, making it a highly urbanised district.