Puducherry
District-Level Data & Statistics
- PopulationCensus 2011, the latest complete count; Census 2027 results are expected from 2028
- 11.5 Lakh
- 0.1% of India
- Projected 2026: 17.6 LakhOfficial projection for 1 March 2026, not a count: Technical Group on Population Projections, National Commission on Population, MoHFW (2020)
- Districts
- 2
- Avg 5.8 Lakh each
- AreaDensity uses the Census 2011 population
- 479 km²
- 2,402 people /km²
- Literacy RateCensus 2011: literates as a share of people aged 7 and above
- 85.7%
- India: 72.9%
- Sex RatioCensus 2011: females per 1,000 males
- 1,032
- India: 943
- RankBy Census 2011 population
- 29th
- of 36 by population
Puducherry is India's 29th most populous state with a population of 11.5 Lakh (Census 2011) spread across 2 districts covering 479 sq km. The state's literacy rate stands at 85.7%, above the national average of 72.9%. With a sex ratio of 1,032 females per 1,000 males, it is above the national figure of 943.
Credit Growth (5-Year) in Puducherry · district average 110.5%, 13th of 36 states
MSME Density in Puducherry · population-weighted average 55.2 per 1,000 people, 10th of 36 states
Women Literacy in Puducherry · population-weighted average 89.9%, 6th of 36 states
Health Insurance in Puducherry · population-weighted average 30.5%, 21st of 36 states
Demographics
What changed in Puducherry, 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
Puducherry districts ranked
Population (Census 2011)
- 1Puducherry 9.5 Lakh
- 2Karaikal 2 Lakh
- 1Karaikal 2 Lakh
- 2Puducherry 9.5 Lakh
Population Density (per km²)
- 1Puducherry 2,819
- 2Karaikal 1,248
- 1Karaikal 1,248
- 2Puducherry 2,819
Literacy Rate
- 1Karaikal 87.1%
- 2Puducherry 85.4%
- 1Puducherry 85.4%
- 2Karaikal 87.1%
Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males)
- 1Karaikal 1,047
- 2Puducherry 1,029
- 1Puducherry 1,029
- 2Karaikal 1,047
Small Business Density
- 1Puducherry 56.1
- 2Karaikal 50.7
- 1Karaikal 50.7
- 2Puducherry 56.1
All Districts
2 districts| District | Population (2011) | Literacy % | Sex Ratio | Density /km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puducherry | 9,50,289 | 85.4% | 1,029 | 2,819 |
| Karaikal | 2,00,222 | 87.1% | 1,047 | 1,248 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Puducherry in crore?
Puducherry has a population of 11.5 Lakh (11,50,511) according to the Census 2011, making it India's 29th most populous state, across 2 districts.
What is the total area of Puducherry in sq km?
Puducherry covers a total area of 479 sq km, divided into 2 districts.
What is the literacy rate of Puducherry?
Puducherry's literacy rate is 85.7% (Census 2011), above the national average of 72.9%. Karaikal has the highest literacy rate (87.1%) and Puducherry the lowest (85.4%). Female literacy is lowest in Puducherry (79.9%).
What is the population density of Puducherry?
Puducherry has 2,402 people per sq km, against a national average of 366. Puducherry has the highest population density and Karaikal the lowest.
What is the sex ratio of Puducherry?
Puducherry has a sex ratio of 1,032 females per 1,000 males, above the national average of 943. Karaikal has the highest sex ratio (1,047) and Puducherry the lowest (1,029).
Which district of Puducherry has the highest and lowest population?
Puducherry has the highest population in Puducherry (9.5 Lakh) and Karaikal the lowest (2 Lakh), per the Census 2011.
Which is the largest district of Puducherry by area?
Puducherry is the largest district of Puducherry by area, and Karaikal the smallest.
How many children in Puducherry are stunted or underweight?
In Puducherry, 24.1% of children under 5 are stunted, 16.8% wasted and 23.9% underweight (NFHS-6, 2023–24, provisional). Stunting compares with an India average of 28.0%.
How many households in Puducherry have health insurance?
53.0% of households in Puducherry 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 Puducherry between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6?
Between NFHS-5 (2019–21) and NFHS-6 (2023–24), Puducherry improved most in health insurance (27% to 53%), women 10+ year schooling (59% to 74%), 4+ antenatal visits (88% to 96%), and got worse in women overweight or obese (39% to 52%), male diabetes (23% to 34%), pre-school attendance (64% to 54%). Changes under 5 percentage points are not counted.
Is there newer population data for Puducherry 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 Puducherry on 1 March 2026 is 17.6 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.