Rural population (% of total population) in India was reported at 63.64 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Around 908.8 million people in India lived in the rural areas in 2022, a decrease from 2021. Urban India, although far behind with over 508 million people, had a higher year-on-year growth rate during the measured time period.

Rural India was mainly made up of men and women between 15 and 59 years old in 2020. Compared to urban centers, children up to ages 14 had a higher share in rural areas during the same time period.

India Census: Population: Rural: Age: Total data was reported at 833,748,852.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 742,490,639.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 742,490,639.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 833,748,852.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 622,796,324.000 Person in 1991. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: Total 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.GAD003: Census: Population: by Single Age: Rural.

In 2011, the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of rural inhabitants. Bihar stood second in line with approximately 92 million people living in the rural areas during the same time period.

India Census: Population: Rural: Male: Age: 25 data was reported at 9,850,468.000 Person in 2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10,733,195.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural: Male: Age: 25 data is updated yearly, averaging 10,733,195.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,446,255.000 Person in 1991 and a record low of 9,850,468.000 Person in 2011. India Census: Population: Rural: Male: Age: 25 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.GAD003: Census: Population: by Single Age: Rural.

India rural population for 2023 was 909,121,500, a 0.03% increase from 2022.

• India rural population for 2022 was 908,804,812, a 0.06% decline from 2021.
• India rural population for 2021 was 909,384,771, a 0.08% increase from 2020.
• India rural population for 2020 was 908,684,959, a 0.26% increase from 2019.

Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Rural data was reported at 103,504,739.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 88,794,744.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Rural data is updated yearly, averaging 96,149,741.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 103,504,739.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 88,794,744.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Rural 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: Delhi: Rural: Male data was reported at 226,321.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 522,087.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: Delhi: Rural: Male data is updated decadal, averaging 374,204.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 522,087.000 Person in 03-01-2001 and a record low of 226,321.000 Person in 03-01-2011. Census: Population: Delhi: Rural: 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.GAB003: Census: Population: by Stratum.

Forecast: Share of Rural Population Using at Least Basic Drinking Water Services in India 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

India Census: Population: Rural: Male: Age: 8 data was reported at 10,497,018.000 Person in 2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12,475,322.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural: Male: Age: 8 data is updated yearly, averaging 11,133,069.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,475,322.000 Person in 2001 and a record low of 10,497,018.000 Person in 2011. India Census: Population: Rural: Male: Age: 8 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.GAD003: Census: Population: by Single Age: Rural.

The statistic displays the number of elderly people living in rural and urban areas in India between 1961 and 2011. In 2011, over 30 million people with the age of 60 years or above were living in urban areas in India. A large number of elderly population are living in rural areas.

In 1951, India’s total rural population was approximately 298 million, while the urban population was only about 62 million. By 2011, these numbers grew to around 833 million and 377 million, respectively. This represents a 179% increase in rural population and a staggering 504% increase in urban population over the 60-year period.

Forecast: Share of Rural Population with Basic Handwashing Facilities (Including Soap and Water) in India 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 75 data was reported at 3,497,157.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,331,987.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 75 data is updated yearly, averaging 3,331,987.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,497,157.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 2,562,256.000 Person in 1991. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 75 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.GAD003: Census: Population: by Single Age: Rural.

The statistic illustrates the share of elderly people living in India in 2011. over nine percent of the female elderly population were living in rural areas in India. Conversely, the share of male population living in the rural areas was lower at slightly over eight percent

Proportion of rural population served with open defecation sanitation of India sank by 16.56% from 20.4 % in 2021 to 17.0 % in 2022. Since the 6.18% slump in 2012, proportion of rural population served with open defecation sanitation plummeted by 66.71% in 2022.

India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 83 data was reported at 224,362.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 128,922.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 83 data is updated yearly, averaging 128,922.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 224,362.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 58,940.000 Person in 1991. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 83 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.GAD003: Census: Population: by Single Age: Rural.

The average for 2023 based on 196 countries was 38.64 percent. The highest value was in Papua New Guinea: 86.28 percent and the lowest value was in Bermuda: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 32 data was reported at 11,567,758.000 Person in 2011. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12,157,220.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 32 data is updated yearly, averaging 11,567,758.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,157,220.000 Person in 2001 and a record low of 8,950,551.000 Person in 1991. India Census: Population: Rural: Age: 32 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.GAD003: Census: Population: by Single Age: Rural.