More information Year, Pop. ...

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1901	6,396,262	—
1911	7,147,673	+11.7%
1921	7,802,127	+9.2%
1931	9,507,050	+21.9%
1941	11,031,541	+16.0%
1951	13,549,118	+22.8%
1961	16,903,715	+24.8%
1971	21,347,375	+26.3%
1981	25,453,680	+19.2%
1991	29,098,518	+14.3%
2001	31,841,374	+9.4%
2011	33,406,061	+4.9%
Source: Census of India^[339]

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Kerala is home to 2.8% of India's population; with a density of 859 persons per km², its land is nearly three times as densely settled as the national average of 370 persons per km².^[340] As of 2011^[update], Thiruvananthapuram is the most populous city in Kerala.^[341] In the state, the rate of population growth is India's lowest, and the decadal growth of 4.9% in 2011 is less than one third of the all-India average of 17.6%.^[340] Kerala's population more than doubled between 1951 and 1991 by adding 15.6 million people to reach 29.1 million residents in 1991; the population stood at 33.3 million by 2011.^[340] Kerala's coastal regions are the most densely settled with population of 2022 persons per km², 2.5 times the overall population density of the state, 859 persons per km², leaving the eastern hills and mountains comparatively sparsely populated.^[342] Kerala is the second-most urbanised major state in the country with 47.7% urban population according to the 2011 Census of India.^[23] Around 31.8 million Keralites are predominantly Malayali.^[340] The state's 321,000 indigenous tribal Adivasis, 1.1% of the population, are concentrated in the east.^[343]^: 10–12

More information Rank, District ...

v t e Largest cities or towns in Kerala 2011 Census of India^[341] As per the population within their respective Municipal Corporation/Municipality limits
	Rank		District	Pop.
Thiruvananthapuram Kozhikode	1	Thiruvananthapuram	Thiruvananthapuram district	968,990	Kochi Kollam
	2	Kozhikode	Kozhikode district	609,224
	3	Kochi	Ernakulam district	602,046
	4	Kollam	Kollam district	388,288
	5	Thrissur	Thrissur district	315,957
	6	Kannur	Kannur district	232,486
	7	Alappuzha	Alappuzha district	180,856
	8	Kottayam	Kottayam district	138,283
	9	Palakkad	Palakkad district	131,019
	10	Manjeri	Malappuram district	97,102

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Gender

There is a tradition of matrilineal inheritance in Kerala, where the mother is the head of the household.^[344] As a result, women in Kerala have had a much higher standing and influence in the society. This was common among certain influential castes and is a factor in the value placed on daughters. Christian missionaries also influenced Malayali women in that they started schools for girls from poor families.^[345] Opportunities for women such as education and gainful employment often translate into a lower birth rate,^[346] which in turn, make education and employment more likely to be accessible and more beneficial for women. This creates an upward spiral for both the women and children of the community that is passed on to future generations. According to the Human Development Report of 1996, Kerala's Gender Development Index was 597; higher than any other state of India. Factors, such as high rates of female literacy, education, work participation and life expectancy, along with favourable sex ratio, contributed to it.^[347]

Kerala's sex ratio of 1.084 (females to males) is higher than that of the rest of India; it is the only state where women outnumber men.^[238]^: 2 While having the opportunities that education affords them, such as political participation, keeping up to date with current events, reading religious texts etc., these tools have still not translated into full, equal rights for the women of Kerala. There is a general attitude that women must be restricted for their own benefit. In the state, despite the social progress, gender still influences social mobility.^[348]^[349]^[350]

LGBT rights

Kerala has been at the forefront of LGBT issues in India.^[351] Kerala is one of the first states in India to form a welfare policy for the transgender community. In 2016, the Kerala government introduced free sex reassignment surgery through government hospitals.^[352]^[353]^[354] Queerala is one of the major LGBT organisations in Kerala. It campaigns for increased awareness of LGBT people and sensitisation concerning healthcare services, workplace policies and educational curriculum.^[355] Since 2010, Kerala Queer Pride has been held annually across various cities in Kerala.^[356]

In June 2019, the Kerala government passed a new order that members of the transgender community should not be referred to as the "third gender" or "other gender" in government communications. Instead, the term "transgender" should be used. Previously, the gender preferences provided in government forms and documents included male, female, and other/third gender.^[357]^[358]

In the 2021 Mathrubhumi Youth Manifesto Survey conducted on people aged between 15 and 35, majority (74.3%) of the respondents supported legislation for same-sex marriage while 25.7% opposed it.^[359]

Human Development Index

Under a democratic communist local government, Kerala has achieved a record of social development much more advanced than the Indian average.^[361] As of 2015^[update], Kerala has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.770, which is in the "high" category, ranking it first in the country.^[9] It was 0.790 in 2007–08^[362] and it had a consumption-based HDI of 0.920, which is better than that of many developed countries.^[362] Comparatively higher spending by the government on primary level education, health care and the elimination of poverty from the 19th century onwards has helped the state maintain an exceptionally high HDI;^[363]^[364] the report was prepared by the central government's Institute of Applied Manpower Research.^[365]^[366] However, the Human Development Report 2005, prepared by Centre for Development Studies envisages a virtuous phase of inclusive development for the state since the advancement in human development had already started aiding the economic development of the state.^[363] Kerala is also widely regarded as the cleanest and healthiest state in India.^[367]

According to the 2011 census, Kerala has the highest literacy rate (94%) among Indian states. In 2018, the literacy rate was calculated to be 96%. In the Kottayam district, the literacy rate was 97%.^[368]^[11]^[369] The life expectancy in Kerala is 74 years, among the highest in India as of 2011^[update].^[370] Kerala's rural poverty rate fell from 59% (1973–1974) to 12% (1999–2010); the overall (urban and rural) rate fell 47% between the 1970s and 2000s against the 29% fall in overall poverty rate in India.^[371] By 1999–2000, the rural and urban poverty rates dropped to 10.0% and 9.6%, respectively.^[250] The 2013 Tendulkar Committee Report on poverty estimated that the percentages of the population living below the poverty line in rural and urban Kerala are 9.1% and 5.0%, respectively.^[372] These changes stem largely from efforts begun in the late 19th century by the kingdoms of Cochin and Travancore to boost social welfare.^[373]^[374] This focus was maintained by Kerala's post-independence government.^[191]^[375]^: 48

Kerala has undergone a "demographic transition" characteristic of such developed nations as Canada, Japan, and Norway.^[238]^: 1 In 2005, 11.2% of people were over the age of 60.^[375] In 2023, the BBC reported on the problems and benefits which have arisen from migration away from Kerala, focussing on the village of Kumbanad.^[376]

In 2004, the birthrate was low at 18 per 1,000.^[377] According to the 2011 census, Kerala had a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.6. All district except Malappuram district had fertility rate below 2. Fertility rate is highest in Malappuram district (2.2) and lowest in Pathanamthitta district (1.3).^[378] In 2001, Muslims had the TFR of 2.6 as against 1.5 for Hindus and 1.7 for Christians.^[379] The state also is regarded as the "least corrupt Indian state" according to the surveys conducted by CMS Indian Corruption Study (CMS-ICS)^[380] Transparency International (2005)^[381] and India Today (1997).^[382] Kerala has the lowest homicide rate among Indian states, with 1.1 per 100,000 in 2011.^[383] In respect of female empowerment, some negative factors such as higher suicide rate, lower share of earned income, child marriage,^[384] complaints of sexual harassment and limited freedom are reported.^[347] The child marriage is lower in Kerala. The Malappuram district has the highest number of child marriage and the number of such cases are increasing in Malappuram. The child marriages are particularly higher among the Muslim community.^[385]^[386] In 2019, Kerala recorded the highest child sex abuse complaints in India.^[387]

In 2015, Kerala had the highest conviction rate of any state, over 77%.^[388] Kerala has the lowest proportion of homeless people in rural India, <0.1%,^[389] and the state is attempting to reach the goal of becoming the first "Zero Homeless State", in addition to its acclaimed "Zero landless project", with private organisations and the expatriate Malayali community funding projects for building homes for the homeless.^[390] The state was also among the lowest in the India State Hunger Index next only to Punjab. In 2015 Kerala became the first "complete digital state" by implementing e-governance initiatives.^[391]

Healthcare

Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum

Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal

Kerala is a pioneer in implementing the universal health care program.^[392] The sub-replacement fertility level and infant mortality rate are lower compared to those of other states, estimated from 12^[191]^[377]^: 49 to 14^[393]^: 5 deaths per 1,000 live births; as per the National Family Health Survey 2015–16, it has dropped to 6.^[394] According to a study commissioned by Lien Foundation, a Singapore-based philanthropic organisation, Kerala is considered to be the best place to die in India based on the state's provision of palliative care for patients with serious illnesses.^[395] However, Kerala's morbidity rate is higher than that of any other Indian state—118 (rural) and 88 (urban) per 1,000 people. The corresponding figures for all India were 55 and 54 per 1,000, respectively as of 2005^[update].^[393]^: 5 Kerala's 13.3% prevalence of low birth weight is higher than that of many first world nations.^[377] Outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid among the more than 50% of people who rely on 3 million water wells is an issue worsened by the lack of sewers.^[396]^: 5–7 As of 2017, the state has the highest number of diabetes patients and also the highest prevalence rate of the disease in India.^[397]

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization designated Kerala the world's first "baby-friendly state" because of its effective promotion of breast-feeding over formulas.^[398]^[399] Over 95% of Keralite births are hospital delivered and the state also has the lowest infant mortality rate in the country. The third National Family Health Survey ranks Kerala first in "Institutional Delivery" with 100% births in medical facilities.^[400] Ayurveda,^[401]^: 13 siddha, and endangered and endemic modes of traditional medicine, including kalari, marmachikitsa and vishavaidyam, are practised. Some occupational communities such as Kaniyar were known as native medicine men in relation to the practice of such streams of medical systems, apart from their traditional vocation.^[402] These propagate via gurukula discipleship,^[401]^: 5–6 and comprise a fusion of both medicinal and alternative treatments.^[401]^: 15 The Arya Vaidya Sala established by Vaidyaratnam P. S. Warrier at Kottakkal (about 10 km from Malappuram) in 1902, is the largest Ayurvedic medicinal network and health centre in the state.^[403]^[404]^[405] It is also one of the largest Ayurvedic medicinal brands in the world.^[403]^[404]^[405]

In 2014, Kerala became the first state in India to offer free cancer treatment to the poor, via a program called Sukrutham.^[406] People in Kerala experience elevated incidence of cancers, liver and kidney diseases.^[407] In April 2016, the Economic Times reported that 250,000 residents undergo treatment for cancer. It also reported that approximately 150 to 200 liver transplants are conducted in the region's hospitals annually. Approximately 42,000 cancer cases are reported in the region annually. This is believed to be an underestimate as private hospitals may not be reporting their figures. Long waiting lists for kidney donations has stimulated illegal trade in human kidneys, and prompted the establishment of the Kidney Federation of India which aims to support financially disadvantaged patients.^[408] As of 2017–18, there are 6,691 modern medicine institutions under the department of health services, of which the total bed strength is 37,843; 15,780 in rural areas and 22,063 in urban.^[409]

Language

Languages of Kerala (2011)^[410]

Malayalam (97.02%)

Tamil (1.49%)

Others (1.49%)

Malayalam is the official language of Kerala and one of the six Classical languages of India.^[411] There is a significant Tamil population throughout Kerala mainly in Idukki district and Palakkad district in which it accounts for 17.48% and 4.8% respectively of the two districts' populations.^[412] Tulu and Kannada are spoken mainly in the northern parts of Kasaragod district, each of which account for 8.77% and 4.23% of total population in the district, respectively.^[412]^[413]

Religion

Jain Temple at Sultan Bathery.

Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple.

Model of original Cheraman Juma Mosque.

St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Palayoor.

Paradesi Synagogue.

Religion in Kerala (2011)^[414]

Hinduism (54.73%)

Islam (26.56%)

Christianity (18.38%)

Other or none (0.32%)

Kerala is very religiously diverse with Hindus, Muslims and Christians having a significant population throughout the state, Kerala is often regarded as one of the most diverse states in all of India.^[415]^[416] Hinduism is the most widely professed faith in Kerala, with significant Muslim and Christian minorities. In comparison with the rest of India, Kerala experiences relatively little sectarianism.^[417] According to 2011 Census of India figures, 54.7% of Kerala's residents are Hindus, 26.6% are Muslims, 18.4% are Christians, and the remaining 0.3% follow another religion or have no religious affiliation.^[418] Hindus represent the biggest religious group in all districts except Malappuram, where they are outnumbered by Muslims.^[419] Kerala has the largest population of Christians in India.^[420] As of 2016, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and others account for 41.9%, 42.6%, 15.4% and 0.2% of the total child births in the state, respectively.^[421]

Islam arrived in Kerala, a part of the larger Indian Ocean rim, via spice and silk traders from the Middle East. Historians do not rule out the possibility of Islam being introduced to Kerala as early as the seventh century CE.^[422]^[423] Notable has been the occurrence of Cheraman Perumal Tajuddin, the mythical Hindu king who moved to Arabia to meet Muhammad and converted to Islam.^[424]^[425]^[426] Kerala Muslims are generally referred to as the Mappilas. Mappilas are but one among the many communities that forms the Muslim population of Kerala.^[427]^[428] According to the Legend of Cheraman Perumals, the first Indian mosque was built in 624 CE at Kodungallur with the mandate of the last the ruler (the Cheraman Perumal) of Chera dynasty, who converted to Islam during the lifetime of Muhammad (c. 570–632).^[429]^[430]^[98]^[431]

Ancient Christian tradition says that Christianity reached the shores of Kerala in 52 CE with the arrival of Thomas the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.^[85]^[432]^[433]^[434] Saint Thomas Christians include Syro-Malabar Catholic,^[435] Syro-Malankara Catholic,^[436] Jacobite Syrian Christian Church,^[437] Mar Thoma Syrian Church,^[438] Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church,^[439] the Syrian Anglicans of the CSI^[440] and Pentecostal Saint Thomas Christians.^[441] The origin of the Latin Catholic Christians in Kerala is the result of the missionary endeavours of the Portuguese Padroado in the 16th century.^[442]^[443]^[444] As a consequence of centuries of mixing with colonial immigrants, beginning with the Portuguese, Dutch, French, British and other Europeans, there is a community of Anglo-Indians in Kerala of mixed European and Indian parentage or ancestry. Kerala has the highest population of Christians among all the states of India.^[445]

Judaism reached Kerala in the 10th century BCE during the time of King Solomon.^[446] They are called Cochin Jews or Malabar Jews and are the oldest group of Jews in India.^[81]^[447] There was a significant Jewish community which existed in Kerala until the 20th century, when most of them migrated to Israel.^[448] The Paradesi Synagogue at Kochi is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth.^[449] Jainism has a considerable following in the Wayanad district.^[450]^[451]

Buddhism was popular in the time of Ashoka^[452] but vanished by the 12th century CE.^[453]