> > India >> States >> Uttar Pradesh
Meerut is a major city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It lies about 70 km northeast of New Delhi and forms part of the National Capital Region (NCR). Meerut is among the largest cities in western Uttar Pradesh and has historically been an important commercial, educational, and military center.
According to Census 2011, Meerut is the 26th most populous city in India, while its Urban Agglomeration ranks around 33rd in the country.
As per the provisional reports of Census India 2011, the population of Meerut city was 1,305,429 (13.05 lakh).
👉 Projected Population of Meerut in 2026: ~18 lakh (1.8 million)
Meerut City Demographics (Census 2011)
The population density of Meerut city in 2011 was around 3,500 persons per sq. km, and the municipal area covers approximately 450 sq. km.
| Meerut City | Census 2011 | 2026 Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,305,429 (13.05 Lakh) | 18 Lakh |
| Male Population | 688,118 | 9.40 Lakh |
| Female Population | 617,311 | 8.60 Lakh |
Meerut Demography
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Literacy Rate | 75.66% |
| Male Literacy | 80.97% |
| Female Literacy | 69.79% |
| Sex Ratio | 897 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 847 |
| Children (0-6 years) | 170,823 |
Source: Census 2011
Meerut Historical Population
Meerut has seen steady population growth over the last century. At the start of the 20th century, the city’s population was around 1.25 lakh and remained relatively stable until the 1940s. After independence, the city experienced faster urban growth and crossed 1 million population in 2001.
According to Census 2011, Meerut recorded a population growth rate of about 22% during 2001–2011. The growth during 2011–2021 is estimated to be around 14–15%.
| Year | Population | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 125,999 | – | – |
| 1911 | 124,197 | -1,802 | -1.43% |
| 1921 | 129,193 | 4,996 | 4.02% |
| 1931 | 100,944 | -28,249 | -21.87% |
| 1941 | 133,151 | 32,207 | 31.91% |
| 1951 | 170,403 | 37,252 | 27.98% |
| 1961 | 219,519 | 49,116 | 28.82% |
| 1971 | 297,691 | 78,172 | 35.61% |
| 1981 | 448,788 | 151,097 | 50.76% |
| 1991 | 753,778 | 304,990 | 67.96% |
| 2001 | 1,068,772 | 314,994 | 41.79% |
| 2011 | 1,305,429 | 236,657 | 22.14% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 1,490,000 | 184,571 | 14.14% |
Meerut District Population
Meerut district is one of the important districts of western Uttar Pradesh. The district was established under British rule in 1818 and, & has tehsils of Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hastinapur, Baghpat, Sardhana, and Hapur. These now constitute the districts of Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bagpat, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr, and a part of Gautam Buddh Nagar district.
According to the Census 2011, Meerut district had a total population of 3,443,689. The district recorded a population density of 1,346 persons per sq. km, while about 51% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes accounted for 18.12% of the district population.
👉 Estimated Population of Meerut District in 2026: ~42 lakh
| Meerut District | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,443,689 |
| Population Density | 1,346 per sq. km |
| Literacy Rate | 84% |
| Sex Ratio | 886 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 852 |
| Urban Population | 51% |
Religion in Meerut District
Hindus are the majority belief in the district, although Muslims are a significant minority. There are also additional minorities of Sikhs, Jains and Christians in the district.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Hinduism | 63.40% |
| Islam | 34.43% |
| Sikhism | 0.72% |
| Jainism | 0.54% |
| Others / Not Stated | 0.91% |
Know more about Uttar Pradesh
