Quick Overview – Slum Population Census 2011
- Total slum population: 65.5 million (5.41% of India’s population, 17.4% of urban dwellers).
- Slum households: 13.92 million in 2613 towns/cities across 31 states/UTs.
- Largest slum populations: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh.
- Most slum towns: Tamil Nadu (507), Madhya Pradesh (303), Uttar Pradesh (293), Karnataka (206), Maharashtra (189), Andhra Pradesh (125), West Bengal (122), Rajasthan (107), Gujarat (103).
- Highest slum population: Maharashtra (11.8 million, 10.54% state), Andhra Pradesh (10.2 million, 12.04%), West Bengal (6.4 million), Uttar Pradesh (6.2 million).
- Best slum literacy: Kerala (93.11%), Mizoram (98.11%), Puducherry (81.39%).
- Best sex-ratio: Mizoram (1022), Puducherry (1051), Tamil Nadu (1009). Lowest: Chandigarh (784).
- No/lowest slum population: Manipur, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep.
Historic & Urban Distribution Trends
- Slum population 2001: 42.6 million; 2011: 65.5 million (+53.8%).
- Small towns (<20,000 pop): 27.2% have slums. Medium towns (20,000–100,000): 24.3%.
- Urban pull: slums form by rapid migration, lack of affordable housing, and insufficient social infrastructure.
- High positive correlation between level of urbanization and slum concentration.
State/UT-wise Census 2011 Slum Data
| State/UT | Slum Population | % of State Pop | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Literacy % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 65,494,604 | 5.41 | 33,968,203 | 31,526,401 | 929 | 77.72 |
| Maharashtra | 11,848,423 | 10.54 | 6,328,217 | 5,520,206 | 873 | 84.55 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 10,186,934 | 12.04 | 5,103,377 | 5,083,557 | 997 | 75.32 |
| Tamil Nadu | 5,798,459 | 8.04 | 2,886,993 | 2,911,466 | 1009 | 82.06 |
| West Bengal | 6,418,594 | 7.03 | 3,321,700 | 3,096,894 | 933 | 81.38 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 6,239,965 | 3.12 | 3,298,339 | 2,941,626 | 892 | 68.98 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5,688,993 | 7.83 | 2,957,524 | 2,731,469 | 924 | 77.25 |
| Karnataka | 3,291,434 | 5.39 | 1,650,724 | 1,640,710 | 994 | 75.63 |
| Chhattisgarh | 1,898,931 | 7.43 | 966,623 | 932,308 | 965 | 80.36 |
| Rajasthan | 2,068,000 | 3.02 | 1,078,991 | 989,009 | 917 | 69.79 |
| Delhi | 1,785,390 | 10.63 | 974,329 | 811,061 | 833 | 75.16 |
| Gujarat | 1,680,095 | 2.78 | 912,571 | 767,524 | 842 | 70.49 |
| Haryana | 1,662,305 | 6.56 | 887,947 | 774,358 | 873 | 75.87 |
| Punjab | 1,460,518 | 5.26 | 776,388 | 684,130 | 882 | 74.18 |
| Bihar | 1,237,682 | 1.19 | 649,475 | 588,207 | 906 | 68.15 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 662,062 | 5.28 | 342,422 | 319,640 | 934 | 68.02 |
| Uttarakhand | 487,741 | 4.84 | 257,624 | 230,117 | 894 | 76.88 |
| Jharkhand | 372,999 | 1.13 | 192,908 | 180,091 | 934 | 75.51 |
| Kerala | 202,048 | 0.60 | 97,429 | 104,619 | 1074 | 93.11 |
| Assam | 197,266 | 0.63 | 101,424 | 95,842 | 945 | 81.57 |
| Puducherry | 144,573 | 11.58 | 70,491 | 74,082 | 1051 | 81.39 |
| Tripura | 139,780 | 3.80 | 70,143 | 69,637 | 993 | 90.71 |
| Chandigarh | 95,135 | 9.01 | 53,340 | 41,795 | 784 | 66.38 |
| Nagaland | 82,324 | 4.16 | 42,651 | 39,673 | 931 | 88.85 |
| Mizoram | 78,561 | 7.16 | 38,861 | 39,700 | 1022 | 98.11 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 61,312 | 0.89 | 32,555 | 28,757 | 884 | 87.74 |
| Meghalaya | 57,418 | 1.94 | 28,737 | 28,681 | 999 | 89.02 |
| Sikkim | 31,378 | 5.14 | 16,216 | 15,162 | 936 | 88.13 |
| Goa | 26,247 | 1.8 | 13,826 | 12,421 | 899 | 82.44 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 15,562 | 1.12 | 8,029 | 7,533 | 939 | 69.39 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 14,172 | 3.72 | 7,386 | 6,786 | 919 | 82.8 |
Socio-Economic Facts & Classifications
- Three types of slums: Notified, Recognized, and Identified, per census definitions (300+ people or 60+ households, poor infrastructure, overcrowding, etc).
- Major drivers: migration, affordable housing shortage, planned/unplanned city expansion, urban employment hubs.
- Policy interventions: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), National Urban Renewal Mission, targeted census blocks.
- Average literacy rate among slum dwellers: 77.7%.