West Bengal Population by Religion: West Bengal is the fourth most populous state in the country. Situated in the eastern part of India, West Bengal is rich in cultural heritage and diversity. West Bengal is not only famous for its vibrant festivals but also for its remarkable religious pluralism. West Bengal is the home to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Other Communities. Read on to know the religious demography of West Bengal.
Overview of Religion in West Bengal
| Country | India |
| State Name | West Bengal |
| Located | Eastern Part of India |
| Total Population | 103,553,153 (Approximate) |
| Religious Demographic | Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, and Sikh |
West Bengal Population as Per 2011 Census
As per the 2011 Census, West Bengal had a population of 91.28 million, increasing from 80.2 million in the 2001 Census. The most recent census data reports a total population of 91.28m, with males around 46.81m and females around 38.71m. As of the 2001 Census data, West Bengal’s total population stood at 80.2 million, with 41.5m males and 38.7m females. This marks a growth rate of 13.84%, a decrease from the previous decade’s 17.84%.
West Bengal Population by Year
As of the 2011 census data, the total population of West Bengal was 91,276,115 which is expected to increase to 103,553,153 in 2023. Here we have shared a table detailing the population of West Bengal by year. Check the table below:
| 2011 | 9.13 Crores |
| 2021 | 10.22 Crores |
| 2022 | 10.33 Crores |
| 2024 | 10.42 Crores |
West Bengal Population Census Data
West Bengal is the 4th most populous state in India, situated in the eastern part of the country. The state is blessed with a diverse population of different religions and backgrounds. The total population of West Bengal is approximately 91,276,115. Here we have shared a table detailing census data.
| Events | Census 2001 | Census 2011 |
| Population | 80,176,197 | 91,276,115 |
| Male | 41,465,985 | 46,809,027 |
| Female | 38,710,212 | 44,467,088 |
| Population Growth | 17.84% | 13.84% |
| Population % | 7.79% | 7.54% |
| Sex Ratio | 934 | 950 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 960 | 956 |
| Literacy | 68.64 % | 76.26 % |
| Male Literacy | 77.02 % | 81.69 % |
| Female Literacy | 59.61 % | 70.54 % |
West Bengal District Wise Population
West Bengal boasts a diverse and dense population spread across its districts. Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, stands as the most populous district. Here we have shared below a list of the district-wise population of West Bengal.
| District | Population |
| Bankura | 3,596,674 |
| Birbhum | 3,502,404 |
| Barddhaman | 7,717,563 |
| Cooch Behar | 2,819,086 |
| Dakshin Dinajpur | 1,676,276 |
| Darjeeling | 1,846,823 |
| Howrah | 4,850,029 |
| Hooghly | 5,519,145 |
| Kolkata | 4,496,694 |
| Nadia | 5,167,600 |
| Murshidabad | 7,103,807 |
| Malda | 3,988,845 |
| Paschim Medinipur | 5,913,457 |
| Purba Medinipur | 5,095,875 |
West Bengal Population by Religion
West Bengal has a diverse population of different religions and communities. As of the 2011 Census data, Hinduism is the major religion of the state with approx 6.44 (70.54%) Crore out of the 9.12 Crore population. Approximately 2.46 crores have Muslim followers and the rest of the people belong to minority religions including Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.
| Religion | Population (2011) |
| Hindu | 64,385,546 |
| Muslim | 24,654,825 |
| Christian | 658,618 |
| Buddhist | 282,898 |
| Sikh | 63,523 |
| Jain | 60,141 |
| Others | 942,297 |
West Bengal Population by Religion with Percentage
As of the 2011 Census data, about 70.54% of the population is Hindu, 27.01% Muslim, 0.72% Christian, and 0.31% Buddhist. Here is the table below.
| Religion | Percentage (%) |
| Hindu | 70.54% |
| Muslim | 27.01% |
| Christian | 0.72% |
| Buddhist | 0.31% |
| Sikh | 0.07% |
| Jain | 0.07% |
West Bengal Rural Population
Approximately 68.13% of the total population resides in the rural area of West Bengal. In the decade 2001 to 2011, the rural population of West Bengal witnessed a growth rate of 7.68%. Here we have shared the population of West Bengal into rural areas by religion. You can check out the table below.
| Religion | Population |
| Hindu | 41331600 |
| Muslim | 19146627 |
| Christian | 490624 |
| Buddhist | 184759 |
| Sikh | 10963 |
| Jain | 9600 |
West Bengal Urban Population
Approximately 31.87% of the total population resides in the urban area of West Bengal. In the decade 2001 to 2011, the urban population growth rate of West Bengal increased to 29.72%. Here we have shared the West Bengal Population by religion in urban areas. You can check out the table below.
| Religion | Percentage (%) |
| Hindu | 23053946 |
| Muslim | 5508198 |
| Christian | 167994 |
| Buddhist | 98139 |
| Sikh | 53923 |
| Jain | 49178 |
Conclusion
As the state continuously grows, its religious demography will undoubtedly remain a key part of its identity. We hope this article on West Bengal Population by Religion was useful and informative. If yes, please share it & comment below. If you have any queries visit Census India’s official website.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q):-
01. What is the Current Population of West Bengal 2023?
Ans: The current population of West Bengal as of 2011 census data is approx 103,553,153, making it the 4th most populous state in India.
02. What is the Hindu Population Percentage in West Bengal?
Ans: As per the 2011 census, the percentage of Hindu population in West Bengal is estimated to be 70.54%.
03. What is the Muslim Population Percentage in West Bengal?
Ans: As per the 2011 census, the percentage of the Muslim population in West Bengal is estimated to be 27.01%.
