State · Census 2011
West Bengalpopulation and census data
West Bengal had 9.13 crore people in 2011, 7.5% of India, making it the 4th most populous of India's 35 states and union territories. 76.3% of people aged 7 and over could read and write, and there were 950 women for every 1,000 men. At home, 49% of households had a phone and 59% had a toilet.
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- Population
- 9.13 crore
- 4th of 35 · 7.5% of India
- Literacy rate
- 76.3%
- India 73.0%
- Women for every 1,000 men
- 950
- India 943
- Towns and cities
- 31.9%
- India 31.1%
Bars show West Bengal; the dark line marks India. Ranks run from highest (1st) to lowest (35th).
People
- Population9.13 crore
India 121.09 crore · 4th of 35
- Women for every 1,000 men950
India 943 · 16th of 35
- Children aged 0–611.6%
India 13.6% · 23rd of 35
- Girls for every 1,000 boys (age 0–6)956
India 918 · 11th of 35
- Living in towns and cities31.9%
India 31.1% · 18th of 35
- People per square km1,028
India 382 · 7th of 35
- Area in square km88,752
India 31,66,620 · 13th of 35
- Households2.04 crore
India 24.95 crore · 4th of 35
Reading and writing
Share of people aged 7 and over who can read and write.
- Literacy rate76.3%
India 73.0% · 19th of 35
- Literacy rate, men81.7%
India 80.9% · 22nd of 35
- Literacy rate, women70.5%
India 64.6% · 18th of 35
Communities
- Scheduled Castes23.5%
India 16.6% · 3rd of 35
- Scheduled Tribes5.8%
India 8.6% · 24th of 35
Religion
- Hindu70.5%
India 79.8% · 21st of 35
- Muslim27.0%
India 14.2% · 4th of 35
- Christian0.72%
India 2.3% · 25th of 35
- Sikh0.07%
India 1.7% · 21st of 35
- Buddhist0.31%
India 0.70% · 10th of 35
- Jain0.07%
India 0.37% · 20th of 35
- Other religions1.0%
India 0.66% · 8th of 35
- Religion not stated0.25%
India 0.24% · 11th of 35
Work
The last four rows are shares of all workers.
- People who work38.1%
India 39.8% · 26th of 35
- Women who work18.1%
India 25.5% · 26th of 35
- Workers with 6+ months of work a year73.9%
India 75.2% · 23rd of 35
- Farmers (cultivators)14.7%
India 24.7% · 26th of 35
- Farm labourers29.3%
India 30.0% · 8th of 35
- Household industry7.1%
India 3.8% · 1st of 35
- Other work48.9%
India 41.6% · 17th of 35
Homes
Share of households, rounded to whole numbers.
- Electricity is the main light55%
India 67% · 30th of 35
- Kerosene is the main light43%
India 31% · 6th of 35
- Toilet at home59%
India 47% · 21st of 35
- Open defecation (no toilet)38%
India 50% · 14th of 35
- Bathroom at home27%
India 42% · 28th of 35
- Tap water to drink26%
India 44% · 28th of 35
- Drinking water source at home39%
India 47% · 24th of 35
- Cook on LPG or piped gas18%
India 29% · 27th of 35
- Cook on firewood33%
India 49% · 27th of 35
- Use banking services49%
India 59% · 27th of 35
- Own their home89%
India 87% · 11th of 35
- Rent their home7%
India 11% · 24th of 35
- Home in good condition41%
India 53% · 32nd of 35
- Permanent (pucca) home51%
India 62% · 22nd of 35
- Live in one room or less56%
India 41% · 3rd of 35
What homes owned
Share of households, rounded to whole numbers.
- Any phone (landline or mobile)49%
India 63% · 27th of 35
- Mobile phone47%
India 59% · 27th of 35
- Television36%
India 47% · 27th of 35
- Radio18%
India 20% · 24th of 35
- Computer or laptop8%
India 10% · 21st of 35
- Computer with internet2%
India 3% · 22nd of 35
- Bicycle57%
India 45% · 8th of 35
- Scooter, motorbike or moped9%
India 21% · 30th of 35
- Car, jeep or van2%
India 5% · 30th of 35
- None of these23%
India 18% · 11th of 35
Coming next
What Census 2027 adds
Census 2027 will publish new numbers for West Bengal, with first-time questions on internet access, smartphones and caste.
See every questionOther states and union territories
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