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Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, located in central India. Popularly known as the City of Lakes, Bhopal is among the greenest cities in the country and serves as an important administrative, cultural, and educational center.
According to Census 2011, Bhopal had a population of 1,798,218 (17.98 lakh), making it the second most populous city in Madhya Pradesh and the 16th largest city in India at that time.
Based on recent growth trends, the estimated population of Bhopal in 2026 is around 22 lakh (2.2 million), reflecting steady urban expansion.
👉 Projected Population of Bhopal City (2026): ~2.2 Million (22 Lakh)
Census 2011 Details
| Particulars | Census 2011 | 2026 Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,798,218 | ~22 lakh |
| Male Population | 936,168 | ~11.3 lakh |
| Female Population | 862,050 | ~10.7 lakh |
| Literacy Rate | 83.47% | — |
| Sex Ratio | 921 | — |
| Child Sex Ratio | 919 | — |
| Children (0–6 Years) | 216,088 | — |
Source: Census 2011
Key Takeaways – Bhopal Demographics
Key Takeaways – Bhopal DemographicsBhopal is the capital and second-largest city of Madhya Pradesh.
The city recorded 23.30% population growth during 2001–2011.
Population density in 2011 was about 3,887 persons per sq. km.
Literacy rate stands at 83.47%, indicating strong educational development.
Sex ratio of 921 is slightly below the national average.
Children (0–6 years) account for about 12.02% of the population.
Hinduism and Islam are the two major religions in the city.
Religion in Bhopal
| Religion | Percentage |
| Hinduism | 69.20% |
| Islam | 26.28% |
| Jainism | 1.35% |
| Christianity | 1.12% |
| Buddhism | 1.08% |
| Others† | 0.60% |
Sources: Census 2011
Bhopal Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Bhopal has a population growth rate of 23.30% during 2001-2011. It’s expected to have a population growth rate of 14% during 2011-2021.
At the start of the 20th century, the Bhopal population was under one lakh and it don’t show any major growth until the Independence of India. After the formation of Madhya Pradesh and Bhopal as its capital population saw a steady growth & reached 1 million in 1991 & 2 million in 2021.
Let’s look at population & percentage change from Year 1901 to 2021.
| Census Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 77,023 | – | – |
| 1911 | 56,204 | -20,819 | -27.03% |
| 1921 | 45,094 | -11,110 | -19.77% |
| 1931 | 61,037 | 15,943 | 35.36% |
| 1941 | 75,228 | 14,191 | 23.25% |
| 1951 | 102,333 | 27,105 | 36.03% |
| 1961 | 222,948 | 120,615 | 117.87% |
| 1971 | 384,859 | 161,911 | 72.62% |
| 1981 | 671,018 | 286,159 | 74.35% |
| 1991 | 1,062,771 | 391,753 | 58.38% |
| 2001 | 1,458,416 | 395,645 | 37.23% |
| 2011 | 1,798,218 | 339,802 | 23.30% |
| 2021 | 2,060,000 | 261,782 | 14.56% |
Sources: Census 2011
Bhopal District Population
Bhopal District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The city of Bhopal serves as its administrative headquarters. As per census 2011, Bhopal district population is 2,371,061 (23.71 Lakh)
👉 Estimated population of Bhopal District in 2026 ~ 27 lakh
| Particulars | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 2,371,061 |
| Male Population | 1,236,130 |
| Female Population | 1,134,931 |
| District Area | 2,772 sq. km |
| Population Density | 860 per sq. km |
| Literacy Rate | 80.37% |
| Sex Ratio | 918 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 920 |
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