Kochi, also known as Cochin, is a major port and commercial hub in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most densely populated city and the largest metropolitan region in Kerala. Kochi plays a vital role in shipping, trade, tourism, and IT services, making it one of South India’s most important urban centers.
As per the provisional reports of Census India, Kochi city had a population of 602,046 (6.02 lakh) in 2011. Despite a temporary decline due to administrative boundary changes, the city has continued to expand economically and demographically. Based on recent urban growth and metropolitan expansion, Kochi’s population is estimated to reach around 7.5 lakh by 2026.
👉 Projected Population of Kochi (2026): ~7.5 lakh
Census 2011: Kochi City at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 602,046 (6.02 lakh) |
| Male Population | 296,949 |
| Female Population | 305,097 |
| City Area | 94.88 sq. km |
| Population Density | 7,100 per sq. km |
| Literacy Rate | 97.36% |
| Male Literacy | 98.25% |
| Female Literacy | 95.51% |
| Sex Ratio | 1,027 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 956 |
| Children (0–6 years) | 55,138 |
Key Takeaways (2011 Census)
Kochi recorded a very high literacy rate of 97.36%, among the highest in India.
The city has a favorable sex ratio of 1,027 females per 1,000 males.
Children aged 0–6 years formed 9.16% of the total population.
High population density reflects strong urbanization and limited land availability.
Kochi Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Kochi has a population growth rate of -8.59% during 2001-2011. The negative growth rate is due to the reduction of the Kochi Municipal Corp. area from 133 sq. km to 95 sq. km. It’s expected to have a population growth rate of 10% during 2011-2021.
Let’s look at population & percentage change from Year 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 61,236 | – | – |
| 1911 | 64,726 | 3,490 | 5.70% |
| 1921 | 68,493 | 3,767 | 5.82% |
| 1931 | 99,101 | 30,608 | 44.69% |
| 1941 | 126,456 | 27,355 | 27.60% |
| 1951 | 166,068 | 39,612 | 31.32% |
| 1961 | 277,723 | 111,655 | 67.23% |
| 1971 | 439,066 | 161,343 | 58.09% |
| 1981 | 513,249 | 74,183 | 16.90% |
| 1991 | 582,588 | 69,339 | 13.51% |
| 2001 | 658,657 | 76,069 | 13.06% |
| 2011 | 602,046 | -56,611 | -8.59% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 666,000 | 63,954 | 10.62% |
Sources: Census 2011
Kochi Metropolitan (Urban Agglomeration) Population
The Kochi metropolitan area or urban agglomeration is a metropolitan area centered around the city of Kochi. With a population of more than 2.1 million within an area of 440 km², it is the largest and most populous metropolitan area in Kerala. As per the census 2011, the Kochi metropolitan area population is 21,19,724 (21.19 Lakhs) of which 10,44,243 are males, and 10,75,481 are females.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 2,119,724 (21.19 lakh) |
| Male Population | 1,044,243 |
| Female Population | 1,075,481 |
| Area | ~440 sq. km |
Estimated Metro Population (2026): ~25 lakh
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