Karnataka is a state in the southern region of India. It is the largest state in South India. It is the sixth-largest Indian state by area and the eighth-largest state by population. According to the 2011 census of India, the total population of Karnataka was 61,095,297 (6.1 Crore) of which 30,966,657 (50.7%) were male and 30,128,640 (49.3%) were female, or 1000 males for every 973 females.
👉Estimated projected population of Karnataka in 2026 ~ 68,962,000 (6.9 Crore)
Future Population Projection
| Year | Population |
| 2011 | 61,095,000 |
| 2016 | 64,229,000 |
| 2021 | 66,845,000 |
| 2026 | 68,962,000 |
| 2031 | 70,652,000 |
| 2036 | 71,948,000 |
Source: Census Population projection report 2021-2036
Decadal Population growth (2011-2021)
Karnataka has a population growth rate of 2011-2021 of 9.41%. Its estimated population in 2021 is 6.68 Crore* an increase of around 58 lakhs from 2011.
| Karnataka | Census 2011 | 2021 Estimated |
| Total Population | 61,095,297 (6.10 Crore) | 66,845,000 (6.68 Crore) |
| Male Population | 30,966,657 | 3.39 Crore |
| Female Population | 30,128,640 | 3.29 Crore |
| Total Area | 191,791 km2 | – |
| Pop. Density | 319 | 349 |
| Sex Ratio | 973 | 971 |
| Average Literacy (%) | 75.40% | |
| Median Age | 27.43 | 31.45 |
| Population Growth rate | 10.00 | 6.2 |
| Fertility Rate | 1.86 | 1.64 |
| Life Expectancy (Male) | 67.21 | 69.71 |
| Life Expectancy (Female) | 70.87 | 73.27 |
| Formation | 01-Nov-56 | |
| Capital City | Bangalore |
Source: Census 2011 & Census Population Projection Report
Karnataka Historical Population
Karnataka has a population growth rate of 9.41% during 2011-2021. In 1910 Population of Karnataka was 1.30 Crore & Year 2011 it was estimated at 6.68 Crore, an increase of almost 5.38 Crore.
Let’s look at decade population & percentage change from the Year 1910 to 2011
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 13,054,754 | – | – |
| 1911 | 13,525,251 | +470,497 | +3.60 |
| 1921 | 13,377,599 | -147,652 | -1.09 |
| 1931 | 14,632,992 | +1,255,393 | +9.38 |
| 1941 | 16,255,368 | +1,622,376 | +11.09 |
| 1951 | 19,401,956 | +3,146,588 | +19.36 |
| 1961 | 23,586,772 | +4,184,816 | +21.57 |
| 1971 | 29,299,014 | +5,712,242 | +24.22 |
| 1981 | 37,135,714 | +7,836,700 | +26.75 |
| 1991 | 44,977,201 | +7,841,487 | +21.12 |
| 2001 | 52,850,562 | +7,873,361 | +17.51 |
| 2011 | 61,095,297 | +8,244,735 | +15.60 |
| 2021 | 66,845,000 | +5,749,703 | +9.41 |
Source: Census 2011 & Census Population Projection Report
Top Cities in Karnataka by Population
Know more about Karnataka
