In 2011, about 79.8 percent of the population across India identified as Hindus. This was a decrease from about 84 percent in 1951. Despite of this decrease, India still has a majority of Hindu population compared to other religions in the country.
With almost all major religions being practiced throughout the country, India is known for its religious diversity. Hinduism made up for the highest share of faith followed by people in the country. According to the Indian census of 2011, Himachal Pradesh had the highest share of Hindu population in the country.
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India Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Male data was reported at 498,306,968.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 428,678,554.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 463,492,761.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 498,306,968.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 428,678,554.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE001: Census: Population: by Religion.
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India Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Female data was reported at 467,950,385.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 398,900,314.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 433,425,349.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 467,950,385.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 398,900,314.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
A survey conducted across India in 2024 found that 77 percent of Hindu population and 81 percent of minorities agree that India belongs to all religions equally. The survey reflects citizens' faith in the secular and pluralistic fabric of the country.
It was estimated that by 2050, India's Muslim population would grow by 76 percent compared to 2010. For followers of the Hindu faith, this change stood at 33 percent. According to this projection, the south Asian country would be home not just to the world's majority of Hindus, but also Muslims by this time period. Regardless, the latter would continue to remain a minority within the country at 18 percent, with 77 percent or 1.3 billion Hindus at the forefront by 2050.
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India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data was reported at 68,740,419.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 49,393,496.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 59,066,957.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68,740,419.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 49,393,496.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE001: Census: Population: by Religion.
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Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Uttarakhand data was reported at 8,368,636.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,212,260.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Uttarakhand data is updated decadal, averaging 7,790,448.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,368,636.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 7,212,260.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Uttarakhand data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
With almost all major religions being practiced throughout the country, India is known for its religious diversity. Hinduism made up for the highest share of faith followed by people in the country. According to the Indian census of 2011, Muslims had the highest population growth in the country.
According to India's last census in 2011, the Muslim population had about 24.6 percent of decadal growth rate, while Hindus had a decadal growth rate of 16.8 percent. India, a secular nation provides religious freedom as a fundamental right under the constitution to its citizens.
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Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Uttar Pradesh data was reported at 159,312,654.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 133,979,263.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Uttar Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 146,645,958.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 159,312,654.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 133,979,263.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Uttar Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
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Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Delhi data was reported at 13,712,100.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,358,049.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Delhi data is updated decadal, averaging 12,535,074.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,712,100.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 11,358,049.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Delhi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
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Chart and table of India population from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.
This statistic shows the religious affiliation of the population in India as of 2011. In 2011, 79.8 percent of the total Indian population were Hindu.
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Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Goa data was reported at 963,877.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 886,551.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Goa data is updated decadal, averaging 925,214.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 963,877.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 886,551.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Goa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
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Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Jammu and Kashmir: Male data was reported at 1,987,021.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,647,533.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Jammu and Kashmir: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 1,817,277.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,987,021.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 1,647,533.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Jammu and Kashmir: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
With almost all major religions being practiced throughout the country, India is known for its religious diversity. Islam makes up the highest share among minority faiths in the country. According to the Indian census of 2011, the Muslim population in Uttar Pradesh more than 35 million, making it the state with the most Muslims.
Socio-economic conditions of Muslims
Muslims seem to lag behind every other religious community in India in terms of living standards, financial stability, education and other aspects, thereby showing poor performance in most of the fields. According to a national survey, 17 percent of the Muslims were categorized under the lowest wealth index, which indicates poor socio-economic conditions.
Growth of Muslim population in India
Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions worldwide. According to India’s census, the Muslim population has witnessed a negative decadal growth of more than 16 percent from 1951 to 1960, presumably due to the partitions forming Pakistan and Bangladesh. The population showed a positive and steady growth since 1961, making up 14 percent of the total population of India . Even though people following Islam were estimated to grow significantly, they would still remain a minority in India compared to 1.3 billion Hindus by 2050.
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Indian Zoroastrian and Indian Hindu genotype data in plink binary format from Lopez et al. 2017: The genetic legacy of Zoroastrianism in Iran and India: Insights into population structure, gene flow and selection.Not for commercial purposes.
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Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Arunachal Pradesh: Male data was reported at 225,172.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 217,195.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Arunachal Pradesh: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 221,183.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 225,172.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 217,195.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu: Arunachal Pradesh: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE002: Census: Population: by Religion: Hindu.
The statistic shows the Hindu population in India in 2011, by state and union territory. The region with the highest Hindu population was Uttar Pradesh, followed by the state of Maharashtra, with close to 90 million Hindus. The region with the least Hindu population was Lakshadweep in that year. The countries with the largest number of Hindus in 2010 can be found here.
In 2011, about 79.8 percent of the population across India identified as Hindus. This was a decrease from about 84 percent in 1951. Despite of this decrease, India still has a majority of Hindu population compared to other religions in the country.