Sikkim Census 2011 – Population, Sex Ratio & Literacy Data

Quick Overview of Sikkim State (2021/2025 Projection)

• Estimated Population (2025): 698,400–701,070
• 2011 Census Population: 610,577
• Estimated Male Population (2025): 348,158–369,000
• Estimated Female Population (2025): 309,861–332,000
• Area: 7,096 km²
• Density (2011/2025): 86/km²
• Districts: 4
• Main Languages: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Limbu, Gurung, Tamang, Newari, Kulung, Manggar, Sherpa, Sunwar
• Capital and Largest City: Gangtok
• ISOCODE: SK

Historic Population & Decadal Trends

Census Year	Population	Variation	Variation %	Male	Female
1901	59,014	—	—	30,800	28,214
1911	87,922	28,908	48.98	45,062	42,860
1921	81,722	-6,200	-7.05	41,491	40,231
1931	110,000	28,278	34.37	55,831	53,969
1941	122,000	11,707	10.67	63,287	58,229
1951	138,000	16,210	13.34	72,209	65,521
1961	162,000	24,457	17.76	85,193	76,977
1971	210,000	47,647	29.38	112,968	97,182
1981	316,000	106,905	50.77	172,000	144,000
1991	406,000	90,070	28.47	216,000	190,000
2001	541,000	134,878	33.06	288,484	252,367
2011	610,577	69,733	12.89	323,070	287,507

Year	Estimated Population	Total Growth Since 2011	Annual Growth
2025	701,070	14.82%	—
2030	728,914	19.38%	0.81%
2036	756,758	23.94%	0.81%

District-wise Population (2011 Census & 2025 Estimate)

S.No.	District Name	2011 Census	2025 Estimate
1	East Sikkim	283,583	305,617
2	North Sikkim	43,709	47,105
3	South Sikkim	146,850	158,260
4	West Sikkim	136,435	147,036

City-wise Population (2011 Census & 2025 Estimate)

S.No.	City Name	2011 Census	2025 Estimate
1	Gangtok	100,286	108,078

Religion-wise Population Distribution

Religion	2011 Count	2011 %	2025 Estimate
Hindu	352,662	57.76%	380,064
Buddhist	167,216	27.39%	180,209
Christian	60,522	9.91%	65,225
Other religions	16,300	2.67%	17,567
Muslim	9,867	1.62%	10,634
Sikh	1,868	0.31%	2,013
Jain	314	0.05%	338
Not Stated	1,828	0.3%	1,970

Sex Ratio

• Overall Sex Ratio: 890 (2011), 875 (2001)
• Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 957 (2011), 963 (2001)
• Urban Sex Ratio: 914
• Rural Sex Ratio: 883

Religion	Sex Ratio
Hindu	857
Buddhist	961
Christian	999
Other religions and persuasions	959

Literacy Rate

• Total Literacy Rate: 81.42%
• Male Literacy Rate: 86.55–86.56%
• Female Literacy Rate: 75.61%
• Urban Literacy Rate: 88.71%
• Rural Literacy Rate: 78.95%

Category	Avg Literacy Rate	Male Literacy Rate	Female Literacy Rate
Total Population	81.42	86.55	75.61
Urban Area	88.71	92.35	84.7
Rural Area	78.95	84.62	72.45

Religion	Avg Literacy Rate	Male	Female
Hindu	81.96	87.21	75.75
Buddhist	80.42	85.53	75.1
Christian	82.12	86.64	77.6
Other	78.78	85.23	72.04

SC/ST Population

• Scheduled Castes (SC): 28,275 (4.63%), SC Sex Ratio: 957
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): 206,360 (33.8%), ST Sex Ratio: 961

Socio-Economic & Household Facts

• Total Households: 129,006
• Total Towns: 9
• Total Villages: 451
• Ownership Trend: 64.48% houses owned; 30.55% rented
• Couples in Single Family: 71.38%
• Banking/Finance Access: 67.48%
• Internet Penetration (2011): 3.34%
• Families Owning Car: 8.27%, two-wheelers: 2.83%
• Increasing insurance interest with literacy

Urban vs Rural Population

• Urban Population: 153,578 (25.15%)
• Rural Population: 456,999 (74.85%)
• Urban Literacy Rate: 88.71%
• Rural Literacy Rate: 78.95%

Child & Slum Population

• Child Population (0-6): 64,111 (10.5% of population)
• Child Sex Ratio: 957 (2011)
• Slum Population: 31,378 (5.14%)
• Slum households: 7,203
• Slum Sex Ratio: 936

Workforce (Worker Profile)

• Total Workers: 308,138 (50.47% of population)
• Male Workers: 194,358
• Female Workers: 113,780

District Highlights

Description	District	2011 Census	2025 Est.
Most Populous	East Sikkim	283,583	305,617
Least Populous	North Sikkim	43,709	47,105
Highest Sex Ratio	West Sikkim	942	—
Lowest Sex Ratio	North Sikkim	767	—
Highest Literacy Rate	East Sikkim	83.85%	—
Lowest Literacy Rate	West Sikkim	77.39%	—
Highest Population Density	East Sikkim	295	—
Lowest Population Density	North Sikkim	10	—

Key Takeaways - Sikkim Population Growth

• Transitioned from 59,014 in 1901 to 610,577 in 2011
• Highest decadal growth: 50.77% (1981)
• Negative growth: 1921
• Urban population rising; 25.15% in 2011
• 74.85% population rural as of 2011
• Projected population will reach 756,758 by 2036