Ludhiana is the largest city in the Indian state of Punjab and the most populous city in the state. Spread across an area of 159 sq. km, it is a major industrial hub of northern India and is often referred to as the “Manchester of India” due to its strong textile and manufacturing base.
As per Census 2011, the population of Ludhiana city was 1,618,879 (16.18 lakh). It accounted for a significant share of Punjab’s urban population and remains the economic backbone of the state.Based on past growth trends, the estimated population of Ludhiana in 2026 is around 20 lakh (2 million), showing moderate but steady urban expansion.
👉 Projected Population of Ludhiana (2026): ~20 lakh
also read about the Population of Punjab
Ludhiana Demography (Census 2011)
| Ludhiana City | Census 2011 | 2026 Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,618,879 | 20 lakh |
| Male Population | 874,908 | 10.84 lakh (est.) |
| Female Population | 743,971 | 9.16 lakh (est.) |
Key Takeaways
City Area: 159 sq. km
Population Density: ~10,000 persons per sq. km
Average Literacy Rate: 85.77%
Male Literacy: 88.87%
Female Literacy: 82.13%
Sex Ratio: 850 females per 1000 males
Child Sex Ratio: 865
Children (0–6 years): 184,239 (11.38% of total population)
The city has a relatively high literacy rate compared to the national average. However, the sex ratio remains lower than India’s average of 940 (Census 2011).
Ludhiana Historical Population
Ludhiana has witnessed rapid growth over the last century. At the beginning of the 20th century, its population was below 50,000. After Independence, industrialization accelerated growth, and the city crossed 1 million population in 1991.
Between 2001 and 2011, Ludhiana recorded a growth rate of 15.76%. Growth has slowed in recent years compared to earlier decades.
Let’s look at population and percentage change from 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | % Change |
| 1901 | 48,649 | – | – |
| 1911 | 44,170 | -4,479 | -9.21% |
| 1921 | 51,880 | 7,710 | 17.46% |
| 1931 | 68,586 | 16,706 | 32.20% |
| 1941 | 111,639 | 43,053 | 62.77% |
| 1951 | 153,795 | 42,156 | 37.76% |
| 1961 | 244,032 | 90,237 | 58.67% |
| 1971 | 401,176 | 157,144 | 64.39% |
| 1981 | 607,052 | 205,876 | 51.32% |
| 1991 | 1,042,740 | 435,688 | 71.77% |
| 2001 | 1,398,467 | 355,727 | 34.11% |
| 2011 | 1,618,879 | 220,412 | 15.76% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 1,830,000 | 211,121 | 13.04% |
Sources: Census 2011
Ludhiana District Population
Ludhiana district is one of the 23 districts in the Indian state of Punjab. It is Punjab’s largest district by both area and population. Ludhiana, the largest city in Punjab, is the district headquarters. According to the 2011 census, Ludhiana district has a population of 3,498,739 (35 Lakh)
👉 Estimated population of Ludhiana District in 2026 ~ 40 lakh
| Ludhiana District | Census 2011 |
| Population | 3,498,739 |
| Male | 1,867,816 |
| Female | 1,662,716 |
| Literacy rate | 73.5% |
| Sex ratio | 873 |
| Child sex ratio | 860 |
Religion in Ludhiana District
| Religion | Percent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikhism | 53.26% | |||
| Hinduism | 42.94% | |||
| Islam | 2.22% | |||
| Jainism | 0.56% | |||
| Christianity | 0.47% | |||
| Other or not stated | 0.55% | |||
Source: Census 2011
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