According to the 2011 Census of India, Karnataka’s population stands at 61,130,704 (6.11 crores), which is 5.05 percent of the total population of the country. This figure comprises of 50.9 percent male population and 49.1 percent female population.
The state has an urban population of 23,578,175, which accounts for 38.57 percent of its total population. The rural population of Karnataka stands at 37,552,529 (37.5 million) which is 61.43 percent of the state’s population.
Population Of Karnataka – An Overview
As per the census data, Karnataka is the ninth most populated state in the country. The population density of the state is 319 per sq. km (830/sq. mi). This figure is much less than the national population density of 382 per sq. km. Karnataka has a sex ratio of 973 females to 1000 males.
The state witnessed 15.7 percent decadal growth in population from 2001 to 2011. The literacy rate of the state is 75.4 percent, which is better than the overall literacy rate of India at 74.04 percent.
In terms of population, Bengaluru Urban is Karnataka’s most populous district with a population density of 4,381 per sq. km (11,350 per sq. mi). Kodagu is the least populated district of Karnataka with a population density of just 135 per sq. km (350 per sq. mi). Among the cities, the capital city of Bengaluru is the highest populated one in Karnataka.
According to the Census of 2011, the population of Karnataka is 83 percent Hindus, 12.2 percent Muslims, 3.1 percent Christians, 0.8 percent Jains, 0.7 percent Buddhist and less than 0.1 percent Sikhs. The remaining population follows other religions.
Current Population of Karnataka
- Population of Karnataka as in 2016: 66,076,021
Statistics of Karnataka as per Census 2011
- Karnataka Population: 61,130,704
- Male Population: 50.9 %
- Female Population: 49.1 %
- Urban Population: 38.57 %
- Rural Population: 61.43 %
- Karnataka Population Density: 319 per sq. km (830/sq. mi)
Youth Population In Karnataka
The Karnataka state government recently released the draft Karnataka Youth Policy with a focus on education, training, entrepreneurship, job creation, and other forms of youth empowerment. According to the draft, 21.73% of the state’s youth population between the ages of 15- and 29 years lives in Bengaluru. This is an issue as it signals inadequate facilities in villages and towns.
Karnataka’s Youth Population
Karnataka has 2.1 crore youth in the 15–29-year age bracket. Bengaluru has the most youth followed by Belagavi, Ballari, Mysuru and Kalaburagi. There is quite a significant difference between the first, second and third spots.
| District | Youth Population Percentage |
| Bengaluru | 21.73% |
| Belagavi | 7% |
| Ballari | 4.92% |
| Mysuru | 4.77% |
| Kalaburagi | 4.22% |
At the other end of the spectrum, the Kodagu district had the lowest percentage of the youth population. The disparity is hard to ignore.
| District | Youth Population Percentage |
| Kodagu | 0.69 % |
| Chamarajanagar | 1.44% |
| Chikkamagaluru | 1.45% |
| Ramanagara | 1.58% |
| Gadag | 1.61% |
Why Are Karnataka’s Youth Heading To Bengaluru?
The main reason that has been driving youth from villages and towns to Bengaluru is the lack of jobs and opportunities. Infrastructure and development in these areas seem to have been ignored. There have been no planned economic drives outside Bengaluru as a result of which skilled people are drawn to the city.
Correcting The Balance
India is a country of many villages and towns, not just urban areas. Mahatma Gandhi envisioned strengthening rural India by focussing on village economies. Developing villages is largely dependent on youth energy hence, this balance needs to be corrected.
For this, the rural policy needs to be redefined with rural-centric economic micro-clusters. Infrastructural needs such as schools, hospitals, skill development organizations, etc. must be set up.
The Karnataka state government claims to have started work on these lines with the public-school concept at the panchayat level. The idea is to strengthen the foundation from primary education and build upwards. Students in higher classes are being given the option of vocational training to supplement their scholastic education.
Gender Ratio in Karnataka
- Karnataka Sex Ratio Average: 973 females per 1,000 males
Literacy in Karnataka
- Literacy Rate: 75.4 %
- Male Literacy Rate: 82.47 %
- Female Literacy Rate: 68.08 %