Himachal Pradesh
District-Level Data & Statistics
- PopulationCensus 2011, the latest complete count; Census 2027 results are expected from 2028
- 68.6 Lakh
- 0.6% of India
- Projected 2026: 75.8 LakhOfficial projection for 1 March 2026, not a count: Technical Group on Population Projections, National Commission on Population, MoHFW (2020)
- Districts
- 12
- Avg 5.7 Lakh each
- AreaDensity uses the Census 2011 population
- 55,673 km²
- 123 people /km²
- Literacy RateCensus 2011: literates as a share of people aged 7 and above
- 82.8%
- India: 72.9%
- Sex RatioCensus 2011: females per 1,000 males
- 972
- India: 943
- RankBy Census 2011 population
- 22nd
- of 36 by population
Himachal Pradesh is India's 22nd most populous state with a population of 68.6 Lakh (Census 2011) spread across 12 districts covering 55,673 sq km. The state's literacy rate stands at 82.8%, above the national average of 72.9%. With a sex ratio of 972 females per 1,000 males, it is above the national figure of 943.
Credit Growth (5-Year) in Himachal Pradesh · district average 102.2%, 18th of 36 states
All 12 on the map →MSME Density in Himachal Pradesh · population-weighted average 39.3 per 1,000 people, 23rd of 36 states
Women Literacy in Himachal Pradesh · population-weighted average 91.6%, 5th of 36 states
All 12 on the map →Health Insurance in Himachal Pradesh · population-weighted average 61.0%, 18th of 34 states
All 12 on the map →Demographics
What changed in Himachal Pradesh, 2019–21 to 2023–24
NFHS-5 → NFHS-6, changes of 5 points or more. Same districts in both rounds.
Health & Development
NFHS-6 (2023–24, provisional)
State and National are population-weighted averages of districts, not official NFHS figures.
Women & Gender
Economy & Infrastructure
Governance
Safety & Crime
Climate Vulnerability
Himachal Pradesh districts ranked
Population (Census 2011)
Population Density (per km²)
Literacy Rate
Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males)
Underweight Children
Electricity Access
Small Business Density
All Districts
12 districts| District | Population (2011) | Literacy % | Sex Ratio | Density /km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kangra | 15,10,075 | 85.7% | 1,012 | 268 |
| Mandi | 10,19,237 | 81.3% | 1,006 | 264 |
| Shimla | 7,94,550 | 84.0% | 915 | 159 |
| Solan | 5,80,320 | 83.7% | 880 | 307 |
| Sirmaur | 5,29,855 | 78.8% | 918 | 192 |
| Una | 5,21,173 | 86.5% | 976 | 345 |
| Chamba | 5,19,080 | 72.2% | 986 | 81 |
| Hamirpur | 4,54,768 | 88.2% | 1,095 | 416 |
| Kullu | 4,37,903 | 79.4% | 942 | 81 |
| Bilaspur | 3,81,956 | 84.6% | 981 | 335 |
| Kinnaur | 84,121 | 80.0% | 819 | 13 |
| Lahul & Spiti | 31,564 | 76.8% | 903 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Himachal Pradesh in crore?
Himachal Pradesh has a population of 68.6 Lakh (68,64,602) according to the Census 2011, making it India's 22nd most populous state, across 12 districts.
What is the total area of Himachal Pradesh in sq km?
Himachal Pradesh covers a total area of 55,673 sq km, divided into 12 districts.
What is the literacy rate of Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh's literacy rate is 82.8% (Census 2011), above the national average of 72.9%. Hamirpur has the highest literacy rate (88.2%) and Chamba the lowest (72.2%). Female literacy is lowest in Chamba (61.7%).
What is the population density of Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh has 123 people per sq km, against a national average of 366. Hamirpur has the highest population density and Lahul & Spiti the lowest.
What is the sex ratio of Himachal Pradesh?
Himachal Pradesh has a sex ratio of 972 females per 1,000 males, above the national average of 943. Hamirpur has the highest sex ratio (1,095) and Kinnaur the lowest (819).
Which district of Himachal Pradesh has the highest and lowest population?
Kangra has the highest population in Himachal Pradesh (15.1 Lakh) and Lahul & Spiti the lowest (31.6k), per the Census 2011.
Which is the largest district of Himachal Pradesh by area?
Lahul & Spiti is the largest district of Himachal Pradesh by area, and Hamirpur the smallest.
How many children in Himachal Pradesh are stunted or underweight?
In Himachal Pradesh, 20.2% of children under 5 are stunted, 10.4% wasted and 16.5% underweight (NFHS-6, 2023–24, provisional). Stunting compares with an India average of 28.0%.
How many households in Himachal Pradesh have health insurance?
61.0% of households in Himachal Pradesh have at least one member covered by a health insurance or financing scheme (NFHS-6, 2023–24, provisional). The India average is 58.1%.
What changed in Himachal Pradesh between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6?
Between NFHS-5 (2019–21) and NFHS-6 (2023–24), Himachal Pradesh improved most in women internet use (47% to 74%), health insurance (37% to 59%), 4+ antenatal visits (72% to 83%), and got worse in pre-school attendance (62% to 53%), male hypertension (24% to 31%), women overweight or obese (30% to 37%). Changes under 5 percentage points are not counted.
Is there newer population data for Himachal Pradesh than the Census 2011?
Not yet. The Census 2011 is the latest complete count. Census 2027 is under way: the population count uses a reference date of 1 March 2027, with provisional results expected by late 2028. Until then, the official projection for Himachal Pradesh on 1 March 2026 is 75.8 Lakh (Technical Group on Population Projections, National Commission on Population, MoHFW, 2020); it is a projection, not a count. Census 2027 timeline
Data Sources
Each indicator keeps its own source and vintage. How they are crosswalked onto one district geography is on the methodology page, with the per-source limits on the caveats page.