Kolkata Population 2024

Kolkata's 2024 population is now estimated at 15,570,786In 1950, the population of Kolkata was 4,604,143Kolkata has grown by 237,993 in the last year, which represents a 1.55% annual change.These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Kolkata, which typically includes Kolkata's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

Kolkata -- or Calcutta in English -- is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and located on the Hooghly river. Kolkata is the commercial and educational center of East India and one of the oldest operating ports in the country. In 2014, it had an estimated population of 4.6 million, which made it the 7th most populous city in India.

Kolkata has an estimated population of 4.6 million. The largest urban area that includes the suburbs has a population of more than 14.3 million, which makes it India's 3rd most populous metropolitan area.

City Size and Population Density

The city has a very high population density of 24,000 people per square kilometer or 63,000 per square mile. This is one of the world's highest densities. The city itself qualifies as a megacity and covers an incredible amount of surface area that comes to a total of 205.00 square kilometers (79.150 square miles).

Kolkata Demographics

Kolkata's population demographics has a lower sex ratio than India as a whole at 899 females for every 1,000 males. This is due in part to the high number of workers from the rural areas, West Bengal and neighboring states, as men often leave families behind to work in the city. Kolkata has a literacy rate of 87%, which is higher than the Indian average of 74%.

Bengali people represent the majority of Kolkatans, while Biharis and Marwaris represent large minorities. The foreign-born population of Kolkata has dropped through the 20th century, but there are still many small communities of the following groups: Chinese, Tamils, Nepalis, Telugus, Oriyas, Gujaratis, Anglo-Indians, Greeks, Armenians, Tibetans, Konkanis, Maharashtrians, Punjabis, and Parsis.

During World War II, Kolkata had a Jewish population of 5,000, which fell after India gained independence and Isreal was established. Today, there are just about 25 Jews left in the city. Kolkata has a single Chinatown with a population of 2,000 ethnic Chinese people, down from 20,000.

Hinduism represents the largest religion at 78%, followed by Islam (20%), Christianity (0.9%) and Jain (0.5%).

At least one-third of the population lives in 5,500 unregistered and registered slums. Authorized slums have access to essential services like water, but the majority of slums do not. There are two types of slums in the city: bustees, in which dwellers have a long-term tenancy agreement with landowners and udbastu colonies, which are leased to refugees from Bangladesh by the government.

Kolkata Population Growth

Kolkata is no longer the fastest-growing urban area in Bengal, as Asansol has now taken this title. Kolkata recently saw a dip in its population as the surrounding suburbs continue growing. People have stopped migrating to the city in part because of reduced opportunities. By 2025, the Kolkata urban area will have an estimated population of 20.1 million.

Country
India
Growth Rate
1.55%

Kolkata Population 2024

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Growth
19504,604,143
19514,724,9762.62%120,833
19524,844,1012.52%119,125
19534,965,8892.51%121,788
19545,090,9142.52%125,025
19555,219,0862.52%128,172
19565,350,6692.52%131,583
19575,485,1932.51%134,524
19585,623,2922.52%138,099
19595,764,8682.52%141,576
19605,910,2102.52%145,342
19616,051,5592.39%141,349
19626,181,7532.15%130,194
19636,314,7482.15%132,995
19646,450,7942.15%136,046
19656,589,3842.15%138,590
19666,731,1492.15%141,765
19676,875,9642.15%144,815
19687,024,1002.15%148,136
19697,175,0072.15%150,907
19707,329,3722.15%154,365
19717,487,7662.16%158,394
19727,651,9932.19%164,227
19737,819,3552.19%167,362
19747,990,6172.19%171,262
19758,165,6292.19%175,012
19768,344,7232.19%179,094
19778,527,2372.19%182,514
19788,714,0022.19%186,765
19798,904,8582.19%190,856
19809,100,1662.19%195,308
19819,289,4252.08%189,259
19829,463,0561.87%173,631
19839,639,9321.87%176,876
19849,820,3651.87%180,433
198510,003,6651.87%183,300
198610,190,6451.87%186,980
198710,381,1211.87%190,476
198810,575,4271.87%194,306
198910,772,8201.87%197,393
199010,974,1771.87%201,357
199111,175,9511.84%201,774
199211,374,9261.78%198,975
199311,576,8811.78%201,955
199411,782,7081.78%205,827
199511,992,1941.78%209,486
199612,205,7011.78%213,507
199712,422,4071.78%216,706
199812,643,2661.78%220,859
199912,868,0521.78%224,786
200013,097,1531.78%229,101
200113,277,5961.38%180,443
200213,356,2830.59%78,687
200313,435,4360.59%79,153
200413,515,1680.59%79,732
200513,595,1520.59%79,984
200613,675,7210.59%80,569
200713,756,7670.59%81,046
200813,838,4060.59%81,639
200913,920,3030.59%81,897
201014,002,7980.59%82,495
201114,085,7830.59%82,985
201214,169,2600.59%83,477
201314,253,2310.59%83,971
201414,337,7000.59%84,469
201514,422,6700.59%84,970
201614,508,1430.59%85,473
201714,594,1230.59%85,980
201814,680,6130.59%86,490
201914,755,1860.51%74,573
202014,850,0660.64%94,880
202114,974,0730.84%124,007
202215,133,8881.07%159,815
202315,332,7931.31%198,905
202415,570,7861.55%237,993
202515,845,2191.76%274,433
202616,151,4071.93%306,188
202716,483,7552.06%332,348
202816,836,4672.14%352,712
202917,204,5282.19%368,061
203017,583,6042.2%379,076
203117,970,6552.2%387,051
203218,363,5042.19%392,849
203318,760,8712.16%397,367
203419,161,3902.13%400,519
203519,564,1702.1%402,780
showing: 86 rows

Kolkata Population Data (Urban Area)

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Other Cities in India

  1. Census India - India population census data
  2. Census 2011 - Kolkata City Census 2011 data

Sources