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.

In 2023, approximately a third of the total population in India lived in cities. The trend shows an increase of urbanization by more than 4 percent in the last decade, meaning people have moved away from rural areas to find work and make a living in the cities. Leaving the fieldOver the last decade, urbanization in India has increased by almost 4 percent, as more and more people leave the agricultural sector to find work in services. Agriculture plays a significant role in the Indian economy and it employs almost half of India’s workforce today, however, its contribution to India’s GDP has been decreasing while the services sector gained in importance. No rural exodus in sightWhile urbanization is increasing as more jobs in telecommunications and IT are created and the private sector gains in importance, India is not facing a shortage of agricultural workers or a mass exodus to the cities yet. India is a very densely populated country with vast areas of arable land – over 155 million hectares of land was cultivated land in India as of 2015, for example, and textiles, especially cotton, are still one of the major exports. So while a shift of the workforce focus is obviously taking place, India is not struggling to fulfill trade demands yet.

According to projections, 100 percent of the population of NCT Delhi, Chandigarh and Lakshadweep in India were expected to live in urban areas by 2035. By contrast, slightly over ten percent of the population of Himachal Pradesh was expected to live in urban areas by the same year, which has the least share compared to the other states.

The dataset contains year-, month-, state- and gender-wise compiled data on ratio of urban to total population of India from the year 2011 to 2036. The figures of population given for different years are the projected figures, except for the census year of 2011.

In 2022, India's urban population recorded a growth rate of two percent. The growth rate slowed down by 0.1 percent from the previous year's growth rate. The growth rate has been on a downward trend since 2020 after a period of stagnation between 2014 and 2018.

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.

Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

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.

India urban population for 2023 was 519,506,163, a 2.19% increase from 2022.

• India urban population for 2022 was 508,368,361, a 2.05% increase from 2021.
• India urban population for 2021 was 498,179,071, a 2.15% increase from 2020.
• India urban population for 2020 was 487,702,168, a 2.29% increase from 2019.

Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

The statistic displays the main states and union territories with the highest number of people living in urban areas in India in 2011. In that year, the state of Maharashtra had the highest population with over 50 million people living in urban areas. The population density in India from 2004 to 2014 can be seen here.

Census: Population: Madhya Pradesh: Urban data was reported at 20,069,405.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 15,967,145.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: Madhya Pradesh: Urban data is updated decadal, averaging 18,018,275.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20,069,405.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 15,967,145.000 Person in 03-01-2001. Census: Population: Madhya Pradesh: Urban 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 Urban Population Using at Least Basic Drinking Water Services in India 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

India Census: Population: Urban: Male: Age: 80 data was reported at 385,334.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 348,381.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Urban: Male: Age: 80 data is updated yearly, averaging 348,381.000 Person from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 385,334.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 303,268.000 Person in 1991. India Census: Population: Urban: Male: Age: 80 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.GAD004: Census: Population: by Single Age: Urban.

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

Delhi was the largest city in terms of number of inhabitants in India in 2023.The capital city was estimated to house nearly 33 million people, with Mumbai ranking second that year. India's population estimate was 1.4 billion, ahead of China that same year.

36.9 (%) in 2024. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.

The data shows the projected total and urban population by gender as on first March based on the 2001 census population for the year 2015 for the states and union territories of India.

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.

Urban population of Daman & Diu rocketed by 221.05% from 57,000 persons in 2001 to 183,000 persons in 2011. Since the 27.78% drop in 1961, urban population shot up by 1,307.69% in 2011.

The data shows for each state/union territory the area, population by gender and population by urban/rural.

Note: The area figures of States and U.T's do not add up to area of India because : (i) The shortfall of 7 square km. area of Madhya Pradesh and 3 square km. area of Chhattisgarh is yet to be resolved by the Survey of India. (ii) Disputed area of 13 square km. between Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh is neither included in Pondicherry nor in Andhra Pradesh. For All India: 1) The population figures excludes population of the area under unlawful occupation of Pakistan and China where Census could not be taken. 2) Area figures includes the area under unlawful occupation of Pakistan and China. The area includes 78,114 sq.km. under illegal occupation of Pakistan, 5,180 sq. km.illegally handed over by Pakistan to China and 37,555 sq.km. under illegal occupation of China.