Census of Bihar:-
On 1st March, 2001, the state of Bihar, with an area of 94,163 sq kms approximately, had a population of 8,28,78,796 persons. Till 1991 Census, the composite state of Bihar was the second most populous state in the country (containing slightly more than 10% of the country’s population), next only to Uttar Pradesh. However, after bifurcation of the state of Bihar and creation of the new state of Jharkhand, the rank of Bihar among the states of India has slipped down to third, the states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra occupying the first and the second position respectively.
Salient Highlights of Census of Bihar:-
The state has a population density of about 1100 people per sq. km. which is the highest among the different states in the country and second only to the union territory of New Delhi. The state has seen an alarming rise in population in recent years and many efforts to take control over the same have not borne the best of results. The Bihar Census 2011 revealed that the state has the third highest population in the country and the growth rate is 25% which exceeds the national average of about 17%. The sex ratio in Bihar is above 900 and thus fairly close to the national average. Bihar has a notified forest area spread over 7% of the state, which is an encouraging stat given the rampant deforestation to accommodate the ever growing population. The literacy rate in Bihar is also not at par with that of many other states in the country and various attempts are being made to improve the educational facilities and the way of life of Bihar in general.
Bihar Population 2011:-
As per details from Census 2011, Bihar has population of 10.41 Crores, an increase from figure of 8.30 Crore in 2001 census. Total population of Bihar as per 2011 census is 104,099,452 of which male and female are 54,278,157 and 49,821,295 respectively. In 2001, total population was 82,998,509 in which males were 43,243,795 while females were 39,754,714. The total population growth in this decade was 25.42 percent while in previous decade it was 28.43 percent. The population of Bihar forms 8.60 percent of India in 2011. In 2001, the figure was 8.07 percent.
Bihar Density 2011
Population in relation to the area is termed as population density. In this paper, the number of persons living in an area of one square kilometer has been taken as the density of population (persons/sq.km). The state has a population density of about 1100 people per sq. km. which is the highest among the different states in the country and second only to the union territory of New Delhi. The state has seen an alarming rise in population in recent years and many efforts to take control over the same have not borne the best of results. The Bihar Census 2011 revealed that the state has the third highest population in the country and the growth rate is 25% which exceeds the national average of about 17%. Total area of Bihar is 94,163 sq. km. Density of Bihar is 1,106 per sq km which is higher than national average 382 per sq km. In 2001, density of Bihar was 881 per sq km, while nation average in 2001 was 324 per sq km.
Bihar Literacy Rate 2011:-
Literacy rate in Bihar has seen upward trend and is 61.80 percent as per 2011 population census. Of that, male literacy stands at 71.20 percent while female literacy is at 51.50 percent. In 2001, literacy rate in Bihar stood at 47.00 percent of which male and female were 59.68 percent and 33.12 percent literate respectively. In actual numbers, total literates in Bihar stands at 52,504,553 of which males were 31,608,023 and females were 20,896,530.
Bihar Sex Ratio:-
It has been observed during various Censuses that the number of males and females are rarely at parity, the males generally outnumbering the females. The sex-ratio, expressed as the number of females per 1000 males, indicates whether there is any deficiency or surplus of females in the population. The sex-ratio is said to be favourable to the females if the number of females exceeds that of the males, and adverse, if the opposite holds good. As may be seen, the sex-ratio for the state has been favourable to females till 1961 except in the year 1931 when it came down to 995. After 1961, sex ratio has always remained unfavourable to females and the general trend during this period, over the decades, is that of decreasing sex ratio with exceptions of increases in 1961 and the census of India 2001. Sex Ratio in Bihar is 918 i.e. for each 1000 male, which is below national average of 940 as per ensus 2011. In 2001, the sex ratio of female was 919 per 1000 males in Bihar.
Bihar Urban Population 2011:-
Out of total population of Bihar, 11.29% people live in urban regions. The total figure of population living in urban areas is 11,758,016 of which 6,204,307 are males and while remaining 5,553,709 are females. The urban population in the last 10 years has increased by 11.29 percent. Sex Ratio in urban regions of Bihar was 895 females per 1000 males. For child (0-6) sex ratio the figure for urban region stood at 912 girls per 1000 boys. Total children (0-6 age) living in urban areas of Bihar were 1,750,263. Of total population in urban region, 14.89 % were children (0-6). Average Literacy rate in Bihar for Urban regions was 76.86 percent in which males were 82.56% literate while female literacy stood at 61.95%. Total literates in urban region of Bihar were 7,692,401.
Bihar Rural Population 2011:-
Of the total population of Bihar state, around 88.71 percent live in the villages of rural areas. In actual numbers, males and females were 48,073,850 and 44,267,586 respectively. Total population of rural areas of Bihar state was 92,341,436. The population growth rate recorded for this decade (2001-2011) was 88.71%. In rural regions of Bihar state, female sex ratio per 1000 males was 921 while same for the child (0-6 age) was 938 girls per 1000 boys. In Bihar, 17,383,701 children (0-6) live in rural areas. Child population forms 18.83 percent of total rural population. In rural areas of Bihar, literacy rate for males and female stood at 69.67 % and 44.30 %. Average literacy rate in Bihar for rural areas was 59.78 percent. Total literates in rural areas were 44,812,152.
Bihar Religious Data:-
Hinduism is majority religion in state of Bihar with 82.69 % followers. Islam is second most popular religion in state of Bihar with approximately 16.87 % following it. In Bihar state, Christinity is followed by 0.12 %, Jainism by 0.02 %, Sikhism by 0.02 % and Buddhism by 0.02 %. Around 0.01 % stated ‘Other Religion’, approximately 0.24 % stated ‘No Particular Religion’.
Bihar Metropolitan/City Population:-
Big Cities 
Population Male Female
Patna (Municipal Corp.) 1,684,222 893,399 790,823
Gaya (Municipal Corp.) 468,614 247,131 221,483
Bhagalpur (Municipal Corp.) 400,146 212,813 187,333
Muzaffarpur (Municipal Corp.) 354,462 187,564 166,898
Biharsharif (Municipal Corp.) 297,268 155,216 142,052
Darbhanga (Municipal Corp.) 296,039 155,637 140,402
Purnia (Municipal Corp.) 282,248 148,077 134,171
Arrah (Municipal Corp.) 261,430 138,804 122,626
Begusarai (Municipal Corp.) 252,008 133,722 118,286
Katihar (Municipal Corp.) 226,261 119,574 106,687
Large Metropolitan Region:- Patna Urban Region:-
As per data released by Govt. of India for Census 2011, Patna is an Urban Agglomeration coming under category of Million Plus UA/City. Patna city is governed by Municipal Corporation and is situated in Patna Urban Region. The total population of Patna UA/Metropolitan region is 2,049,156. The male population of which is 1,087,285 while female population is 961,871.
Patna Literacy Rate 2011:-
The literacy rate of Patna Agglomeration is 82.73% which is lower than National Urban average of 85 %. Literacy rate for male and female for Patna stood at 86.95 % and 77.96 % respectively. Total literates in Patna UA were 1,484,749 of which males were 827,725 and remaining 657,024 were females.
Patna Child Population 2011:-
The children (0-6 age) population of Patna UA is around 12.42 % of total Patna UA population which is higher than National Urban average of 10.93 %. Total children in Patna Urban region were 254,465 of which male were 135,348 while remaining 119,117 childs were female.
Patna Sex Ratio 2011:-
The sex ratio of female to male in Patna UA was found lower with figure of 885 females against national urban average of 926 females per 1000 males. For children (0-6 age), girls were 880 per 1000 boys in Patna Urban region against national average of 902 girls per 1000 boys.
Gaya City Census 2011 data:-
Gaya city is governed by Municipal Corporation which comes under Gaya Metropolitan Region. As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Gaya in 2011 is 468,614; of which male and female are 247,131 and 221,483 respectively. Although Gaya city has population of 468,614; its urban / metropolitan population is 475,987 of which 251,057 are males and 224,930 are females.
Bhagalpur City Census 2011 data:-
Bhagalpur city is governed by Municipal Corporation which comes under Bhagalpur Metropolitan Region. As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Bhagalpur in 2011 is 400,146; of which male and female are 212,813 and 187,333 respectively. Although Bhagalpur city has population of 400,146; its urban / metropolitan population is 412,209 of which 219,092 are males and 193,117 are females.
Muzaffarpur City Census 2011 data:-
Muzaffarpur city is governed by Municipal Corporation which comes under Muzaffarpur Metropolitan Region. As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Muzaffarpur in 2011 is 354,462; of which male and female are 187,564 and 166,898 respectively. Although Muzaffarpur city has population of 354,462; its urban / metropolitan population is 396,590 of which 210,025 are males and 186,565 are females.
Biharsharif City Census 2011 data:-
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Biharsharif in 2011 is 297,268; of which male and female are 155,216 and 142,052 respectively.
Darbhanga City Census 2011 data:-
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Darbhanga in 2011 is 296,039; of which male and female are 155,637 and 140,402 respectively. Although Darbhanga city has population of 296,039; its urban / metropolitan population is 308,011 of which 162,003 are males and 146,008 are females.
Purnia City Census 2011 data:-
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Purnia in 2011 is 282,248; of which male and female are 148,077 and 134,171 respectively. Although Purnia city has population of 282,248; its urban / metropolitan population is 312,669 of which 164,031 are males and 148,638 are females
Arrah City Census 2011 data:-
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Arrah in 2011 is 261,430; of which male and female are 138,804 and 122,626 respectively.
Begusarai City Census 2011 data:-
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Begusarai in 2011 is 252,008; of which male and female are 133,722 and 118,286 respectively.
Katihar City Census 2011 data:-
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Katihar in 2011 is 226,261; of which male and female are 119,574 and 106,687 respectively. Although Katihar city has population of 226,261; its urban / metropolitan population is 240,838 of which 127,240 are males and 113,598 are females.
Future Population:-
The last census of Bihar was done in 2011 and next would be in 2021. But we can do projection of future Bihar 2017 Population on the basis likely Population Growth Rate. :-
Year Projected Population
2011 10.41 Crore
2012 10.68 Crore
2013 10.94 Crore
2014 11.21 Crore
2015 11.48 Crore
2016 11.75 Crore
2017 12.03 Crore
2018 12.30 Crore
2019 12.57 Crore
2020 12.85 Crore
2021 13.12 Crore
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