In 2011, about 0.77 percent of the population identified with Buddhism as their religion, a slight increase from about 0.74 percent in 1951. Overall, India has been a religiously pluralistic and multiethnic democracy with people of several faiths.

The statistic illustrates the Buddhist population in India in 2011, with a breakdown by state and union territory. The region with the highest Buddhist population was Maharashtra, followed by the state of West Bengal with close to 283,000 Buddhists. The region with the least Buddhist population was the union territory of Lakshadweep in that year. The countries with the largest number of Buddhists in 2010 can be found here.

India Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist data was reported at 8,442,972.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,955,207.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist data is updated yearly, averaging 8,199,089.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,442,972.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 7,955,207.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist 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.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Kerala data was reported at 1,528.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 499.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Kerala data is updated decadal, averaging 1,013.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,528.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 499.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Kerala 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

India: Buddhists as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 0.8 percent, unchanged from 0.8 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 36.4 percent, based on data from 21 countries. Historically, the average for India from 1960 to 2013 is 0.8 percent. The minimum value, 0.8 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 0.8 percent was recorded in 1960.

India Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Urban data was reported at 3,628,123.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,061,597.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 3,344,860.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,628,123.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 3,061,597.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: 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.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab data was reported at 33,237.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 41,487.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab data is updated decadal, averaging 37,362.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 41,487.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 33,237.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Himachal Pradesh: Male data was reported at 40,233.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 39,066.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Himachal Pradesh: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 39,649.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 40,233.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 39,066.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Himachal 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Andaman and Nicobar Islands data was reported at 338.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 421.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Andaman and Nicobar Islands data is updated decadal, averaging 379.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 421.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 338.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Andaman and Nicobar Islands 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Andhra Pradesh data was reported at 36,692.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 32,037.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Andhra Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 34,364.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36,692.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 32,037.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Andhra 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab: Female data was reported at 16,061.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 19,316.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 17,688.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,316.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 16,061.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab: Female 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Haryana data was reported at 7,514.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,140.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Haryana data is updated decadal, averaging 7,327.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,514.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 7,140.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Haryana 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Sikkim data was reported at 167,216.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 152,042.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Sikkim data is updated decadal, averaging 159,629.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 167,216.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 152,042.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Sikkim 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Odisha data was reported at 13,852.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,863.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Odisha data is updated decadal, averaging 11,857.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,852.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 9,863.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Odisha 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab: Male data was reported at 17,176.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22,171.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 19,673.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22,171.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 17,176.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Punjab: 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Tripura: Female data was reported at 61,840.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 48,347.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Tripura: Female data is updated decadal, averaging 55,093.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 61,840.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 48,347.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Tripura: Female 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Uttar Pradesh data was reported at 206,285.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 302,031.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Uttar Pradesh data is updated decadal, averaging 254,158.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 302,031.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 206,285.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Uttar Pradesh: Male data was reported at 107,424.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 159,408.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Uttar Pradesh: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 133,416.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 159,408.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 107,424.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Uttar 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Bihar data was reported at 25,453.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 18,818.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Bihar data is updated decadal, averaging 22,135.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25,453.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 18,818.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Bihar 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.

Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Rajasthan data was reported at 12,185.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,335.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Rajasthan data is updated decadal, averaging 11,260.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,185.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 10,335.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist: Rajasthan 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.GAE006: Census: Population: by Religion: Buddhist.