Gaya is a historic city and major tourist destination located in the southern part of Bihar. It lies about 116 km south of Patna, the state capital, and is the second-largest city in Bihar in terms of population. Gaya holds great religious importance in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and is closely associated with ancient Indian history. The nearby town of Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world.
The Gaya region is also mentioned in Indian epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, highlighting its cultural and spiritual legacy. Due to its religious tourism, educational institutions, and improving infrastructure, Gaya has witnessed steady urban growth over the years.
As per the Census of India 2011, the population of Gaya City was 4,68,614 (4.68 lakh). Based on recent estimates, the population of Gaya City in 2026 is around 7 lakh, showing significant growth over the past decade.
Projected Population of Gaya City (2026): ~7 lakh
Census 2011 Key Highlights
According to the 2011 Census of India, Gaya city had a total population of 4.68 lakh (468,614). The city recorded an average literacy rate of 81.63%, with male literacy at 86.51% and female literacy at 76.16%. The sex ratio stood at 896 females per 1,000 males, while the child sex ratio was 918.
Children in the age group of 0–6 years accounted for 10.33% of the total population. Gaya had a population density of about 9,590 persons per sq. km, spread over an administrative area of 308 sq. km, reflecting its status as a densely populated urban center in Bihar.
Demography Quick Facts (Census 2011)
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 468,614 (4.68 lakh) | 247,131 | 221,483 |
| Children (0–6) | 62,389 | 32,526 | 29,863 |
| Literacy Rate (%) | 81.63 | 86.51 | 76.16 |
| Sex Ratio | 896 | — | — |
| Child Sex Ratio | 918 | — | — |
Gaya Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Gaya has a population growth rate of 21.58% during 2001-2011. It’s expected to have a population growth rate of 18% during 2011-2021.
Let’s look at population & percentage change from Year 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 71,288 | – | – |
| 1911 | 49,921 | -21,367 | -29.97% |
| 1921 | 67,562 | 17,641 | 35.34% |
| 1931 | 88,005 | 20,443 | 30.26% |
| 1941 | 105,223 | 17,218 | 19.56% |
| 1951 | 133,700 | 28,477 | 27.06% |
| 1961 | 151,105 | 17,405 | 13.02% |
| 1971 | 179,884 | 28,779 | 19.05% |
| 1981 | 247,075 | 67,191 | 37.35% |
| 1991 | 291,675 | 44,600 | 18.05% |
| 2001 | 385,432 | 93,757 | 32.14% |
| 2011 | 468,614 | 83,182 | 21.58% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 550,000 | 81,386 | 17.37% |
Sources: Census 2011
Gaya District Population
Gaya is a district in the State of Bihar in India. As per census 2011, Gaya District population is 4,391,418 (43.91 Lakhs) of which 2,266,566 are males and 2,124,852 are females. The literacy rate is 63.67 % & the Male-Female Sex ratio is 937. The child sex ratio is 960. The Estimated population of Gaya District in 2026 is 58 lakh.
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