At the 2011 Census, Bihar was the third most populous state of India with total population of 104,099,452, nearly 89% of it rural. It was also India's most densely populated state, with 1,106 persons per square kilometre. The sex ratio was 918 females per 1000 males.[1] Almost 58% of Bihar's population was below 25 years age, which is the highest in India. At 11.3%, Bihar has the second-lowest urbanisation rate in India after Himachal Pradesh.[2]

Most of Bihar's population belongs to a collection of ethnic groups speaking indic languages. It also attracted Punjabi Hindu refugees during the Partition of British India in 1947.[3] Bihar has a total literacy rate of 63.82% (73.39% for males and 53.33% for females), recording a growth of 20% in female literacy over the preceding decade. According to the 2011 census, 82.7% of Bihar's population practised Hinduism, while 16.9% followed Islam.[4] Bihar has highest fertility rate of 3.41 in comparison to the other states of India.[5]

Population

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Population by Age group (2001)[6]
Age Group Total Male Female
0–4 11006072 5623280 5382792
5–9 12804302 6705263 6099039
10–14 11063777 5970201 5093576
15–19 7190188 4028643 3161545
20–24 6323193 3180063 3143130
25–29 5908308 2894706 3013602
30–34 5549787 2713871 2835916
35–39 5077935 2576089 2501846
40–44 4153203 2213770 1939433
45–49 3461664 1778368 1683296
50–54 2711041 1543620 1167421
55–59 2069940 990011 1079929
60–64 2103909 1120743 983166
65–69 1354937 683656 671281
70–74 1029921 571438 458483
75–79 446860 233961 212899
80+ 565647 312207 253440
Age not stated 177825 103905 73920
All ages 82998509 43243795 39754714

Religion

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Religions in Bihar 2011

  Hinduism (82.7%)
  Islam (16.9%)
  Others (0.4%)
Religion in Bihar
Religion 2001[7] 2011[8]
Hinduism 69,076,919 86,078,686
Islam 13,722,048 17,557,809
Christianity 53,137 129,247
Buddhism 18,818 25,453
Sikhism 20,780 23,779
Jainism 16,085 18,914
Other 52,905 13,437
Not stated n/a[a] 252,127
Total 82,998,509 104,099,452
Religion in Bihar (%)
Religion 2001[7] 2011[8]
Hinduism 83.22 82.69
Islam 16.53 16.87
Christianity 0.06 0.12
Buddhism 0.02 0.02
Sikhism 0.03 0.02
Jainism 0.02 0.02
Other 0.06 0.01
Not stated n/a[b] 0.24

As per recently released Bihar caste-based survey 2022, Hinduism is practised by 81.99% and Islam is followed by 17.70%.[9]

Caste and ethnic groups

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As per Bihar government’s Bihar caste-based survey 2022 report, released on 2 October 2023, showed that extremely backward classes (EBCs) account for 36.01 percent of the 13.07 crore population of the state.[10][11] OBCs, EBCs together account for 63% of total population of Bihar.[12][13]

Caste Groups of Bihar[14][15]
Caste Groups Population[16] (%)
OBC 27.12%
EBC 36.01%
Dalits(SCs) 19.65%
Forward caste 15.52%
Adivasis(STs) 1.68%


Caste Population Percentage
Yadav 18,650,119 14.2666%
Kushwaha (Koeri) 5,506,113 4.212%
Kurmi 3,762,969 2.8785%
Brahmin 4,781,280 3.6575%
Teli 3,677,491 2.8131%
Mallah (Nishad) 3,410,093 2.6086%
Nonia 2,498,474 1.9112%
Kanu 2,892,761 2.2129%
Bania 3,026,912 2.3155%
Bhumihar 3,750,886 2.8693%
Rajput 4,510,733 3.4505%
Dushadh 6,943,000 5.3111%
Musahar 4,035,787 3.0872%
Kayastha 785,771 0.6011%
Ravidas 6,869,664 5.255%
  • As per, 2011 Census of India, Scheduled Castes constitute 16% of Bihar's 104 million population.[17] The census identified 21 of 23 Dalit sub-castes as Mahadalits.[18] Mahadalit community consists of the following sub castes - Bantar, Bauri, Bhogta, Bhuiya, Chaupal, Dabgar, Dom (Dhangad), Ghasi, Halalkhor, Hari (Mehtar, Bhangi), Kanjar, Kurariar, Lalbegi, Musahar, Nat, Pan (Swasi), Rajwar, Turi, Dhobi, Pasi, Chamar and Paswan (Dusadh).[19] Paswan caste was initially left out of the Mahadalit category.[20][21][22] Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes) constitute around 1.3% of Bihar population.[23][24] Tribals include Gond, Santhal and Tharu communities in Bihar.[25][26]
  • Extremely Backward Class (EBCs) are also sometimes referred to as Most Backward Class(MBCs). There are 130-odd EBC castes in Bihar.[27][28][29]

Languages

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Languages of Bihar (2011)[30]

  Hindi (25.54%)
  Bhojpuri (24.86%)
  Maithili (12.55%)
  Magahi (10.87%)
  Urdu (8.42%)
  Surjapuri (1.78%)
  Others (15.98%)

Hindi and Urdu are the official languages of the state, whilst the majority of the people speak one of the Bihari languagesBhojpuri, Magadhi, Maithili or Angika. Maithili is also one of the recognised regional languages of India as per the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Proponents have called Bhojpuri, Magahi, Bajjika and Angika to receive the same status.[31][32][33]

Education

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Education in Bihar (2001)[34]
Level Persons Male Female
Literate without educational 1,715,049 1,109,731 605,318
Below Primary 7,890,329 4,754,137 3,136,192
Primary 8,334,709 5,130,917 3,203,792
Middle 4,390,226 3,012,151 1,378,075
Secondary 4,751,560 3,439,918 1,311,642
Higher Secondary 1,826,093 1,385,282 440,811
Technical Diploma 24,989 20,088 4,901
Non-technical Diploma 48,532 40,458 8,074
Graduate & above 2,109,415 1,737,651 371,764
Unclassified 18,675 14,043 4,632

Bihar has a total literacy rate of 69.83%. Overall Male and Female literacy rate is 70.32% and 53.57% respectively.[35] Total Rural literacy rate is 43.9%. In rural areas of Bihar, Male and Female literacy rate is 57.1 and 29.6 respectively. Total Urban literacy rate is 71.9. In urban areas of Bihar, Male and Female literacy rate is 79.9 and 62.6 respectively. .[36] Total number of literates in Bihar is 3,16,75,607 which consists 2,09,78,955 Male and 1,06,96,652 Female. Patna has highest Literacy Rate of 63.82% followed by Rohtas (62.36%) and Munger (60.11%). Kishanganj has lowest Literacy Rate of 31.02% followed by Araria (34.94%) and Katihar (35.29%).

Economics

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Districts

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Districtwise Demographics (2001)[37]
Districts of Bihar Total Population
2001
Male Population
2001
Female Population
2001
Growth Rate
1981–91
Growth Rate
1991-01
Sex Ratio
1991
Sex Ratio
2001
Population density
1991
Population density
2001
West Champaran 3,043,044 1,600,853 1,442,191 18.30 30.40 877 901 446 582
East Champaran 3,933,636 2,072,350 1,861,286 25.46 29.27 883 898 767 991
Sheohar 514,288 271,261 243,027 27.34 36.16 876 896 853 1,161
Sitamarhi 2,669,887 1,410,149 1,259,738 23.13 32.58 884 893 915 1,214
Madhubani 3,570,651 1,837,361 1,733,290 21.76 26.08 932 943 809 1,020
Supaul 1,745,069 908,855 836,214 23.45 29.95 904 920 557 724
Araria 2,124,831 1,108,924 1,015,907 26.69 31.84 907 916 569 751
Kishanganj 1,294,063 666,910 627,153 22.20 31.50 933 940 522 687
Purnia 2,540,788 1,325,794 1,214,994 23.76 35.23 903 916 582 787
Katihar 2,389,533 1,244,943 1,144,590 27.77 30.91 909 919 597 782
Madhepura 1,524,596 796,272 728,324 22.16 29.45 885 915 659 853
Saharsa 1,506,418 788,585 717,833 25.54 33.03 884 910 665 885
Darbhanga 3,285,473 1,716,640 1,568,833 25.04 30.85 911 914 1,102 1,442
Muzaffarpur 3,743,836 1,941,480 1,802,356 25.30 26.74 904 928 931 1,180
Gopalganj 2,149,343 1,072,151 1,077,192 25.12 26.11 968 1,005 838 1,057
Siwan district 2,708,840 1,332,218 1,376,622 22.04 24.78 1,017 1,033 978 1,221
Saran 3,251,474 1,654,428 1,597,046 23.44 26.37 963 965 974 1,231
Vaishali 2,712,389 1,412,276 1,300,113 29.08 26.39 921 921 1,054 1,332
Samastipur 3,413,413 1,771,249 1,642,164 28.35 25.63 926 927 936 1,175
Begusarai 2,342,989 1,226,057 1,116,932 24.61 29.11 898 911 946 1,222
Khagaria 1,276,677 675,501 601,176 28.44 29.32 868 890 664 859
Bhagalpur 2,430,331 1,294,192 1,136,139 20.67 27.24 864 878 743 946
Banka 1,608,778 843,061 765,717 24.44 24.47 893 908 428 533
Munger 1,135,499 604,662 530,837 17.79 20.34 856 878 665 800
Lakhisarai 801,173 416,727 384,446 21.08 23.94 880 923 526 652
Sheikhpura 525,137 273,468 251,669 19.84 24.96 896 920 610 762
Nalanda 2,368,327 1,236,467 1,131,860 21.73 18.64 898 915 848 1,006
Patna 4,709,851 2,514,949 2,194,902 19.84 30.17 867 873 1,130 1,471
Bhojpur 2,233,415 1,175,333 1,058,082 20.26 24.58 904 900 725 903
Buxar 1,403,462 738,239 665,223 18.63 29.03 884 901 670 864
Kaimur 1,284,575 673,556 611,019 24.20 30.64 884 907 292 382
Rohtas 2,448,762 1,282,655 1,166,107 21.77 27.71 894 909 498 636
Jehanabad 1,511,406 783,960 727,446 19.43 28.64 919 928 749 963
Aurangabad 2,004,960 1,035,757 969,203 24.49 30.19 915 936 466 607
Gaya 3,464,983 1,789,231 1,675,752 23.92 30.03 922 937 536 696
Nawada 1,809,425 928,638 880,787 23.70 33.08 936 948 545 726
Jamui 1,397,474 728,812 668,662 21.90 32.90 903 917 339 451

Miscellaneous statistics

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As of 2001, Bihar had 212,015 international migrants[38] and 1,619,031 inter-state migrants.[39]

See also

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References

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Notes

  1. ^ The 2001 Census did not record a figure for people who did not specify their religion
  2. ^ The 2001 Census did not record a figure for people who did not specify their religion

Citations

  1. ^ "Bihar Profile" (PDF). census.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Urban and Rural Population of India 2011". Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Census GIS HouseHold". Censusindiamaps.net. Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Singh, Vijaita (25 August 2015). "Bihar elections among factors in religious data of Census 2011 release". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017 – via www.TheHindu.com.
  5. ^ Daniyal, Shoaib (28 August 2021). "Why is Madras High Court questioning the 'one man, one vote' principle for India's Parliament?". scroll.in. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Census of India – Age groups". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Total population by religious communities". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Indian Census 2011". Census Department, Government of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  9. ^ Joy, Shemin. "Caste survey in Bihar: OBCs, EBCs make up 63.13% of population; Gen Category 15.52%". Deccan Herald.
  10. ^ "Bihar caste survey released: EBCs form 36% of population, OBCs at 27.13%". 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. ^ "With Bihar caste survey, how Nitish Kumar hit two targets in one fell swoop". 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Bihar caste survey released: OBCs, EBCs together account for 63% of total population". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Bihar publishes caste survey report, OBCs, EBCs constitute 63% of population". 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  14. ^ Tewary, Amarnath (2 October 2023). "Bihar caste survey OBCs, EBCs comprise more than 63% of State's population". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Bihar Caste Survey Report: बिहार में 1 प्रतिशत से अधिक आबादी वाली कितनी हैं जातियां? देखें पूरी लिस्ट". Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Full list of caste and their population". Livehindustan. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Foreign diplomats line up for Bihar elections". 27 August 2015. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Bihar polls: Jitan Ram Manjhi announces alliance with BJP". Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  19. ^ "News, Breaking News, Latest News, News Headlines, Live News, Today News CNN-News18". News18. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Non-inclusion of Paswans in Mahadalit list angers Paswan". The Hindu. 19 November 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Bihar CM includes Paswan caste in Mahadalit category". 15 February 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Nitish's social engineering formula inspires Congress". The Times of India. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  23. ^ "Does Bihar know how many tribals live in the State?". The Hindu. 16 August 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  24. ^ "27 lakh SC & ST families to benefit from Food Law in Bihar". 10 December 2014. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Special package for Tharu tribals in Bihar". The Hindu. 20 January 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  26. ^ "Stage set for tribal all-woman battalion". Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  27. ^ "Nitish Kumar's gambit: temple fund, 2 EBCs added to SC/ST list". 7 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  28. ^ "Bihar state EBC list" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  29. ^ "Battle for Bihar: Complicated caste poll primer". 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  30. ^ "C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Bihar". Census of India 2011. Office of the Registrar General. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  31. ^ "लोकसभा में उठी मगही, भोजपुरी को आठवीं अनुसूची में शामिल करने की मांग". Firstpost Hindi. 22 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  32. ^ "भाषाई जनगणना व आठवीं अनुसूची में शामिल हो अंगिका भाषा". Hindustan (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  33. ^ "38 भाषाओं को संवैधानिक दर्जा देने की मांग पर निश्चित मानदंड तैयार नहीं हुआ". thewirehindi.com. 19 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  34. ^ "Census of India – Literates and educational level". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Literacy rate". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 13 November 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  36. ^ "Archive-it Wayback". Archived from the original on 24 November 2007.
  37. ^ "Annexure 1". Gov.bih.nic.in. Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  38. ^ "Census of India – International migration". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  39. ^ "Census of India – Inter state migration". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2014.