Population

Odisha, home to a diverse mix of communities, accounted for approximately 3% of India's total population, as per the 2011 Census of India. With 41,974,218 residents, the state had a near-equal gender distribution—21.2 million males (50.54%) and 20.76 million females (49.46%), leading to a sex ratio of 978 females per 1,000 males.

• Growth and Density The state's population growth rate between 2001 and 2011 stood at 13.97%, reflecting a decline from the 16.25% growth recorded in the previous decade. The population density was 269 people per square kilometer. Among the districts, Ganjam emerged as the most populous, while Debagarh had the lowest population.
• Age & Community Distribution Children aged 0–6 years made up 12% of Odisha’s total population, with a child sex ratio of 934 females per 1,000 males. The state has a significant Scheduled Caste (SC) population of 7.2 million (16.5%) and a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 9.6 million (22.1%), reflecting its rich tribal heritage.

Odisha’s demography is a fascinating blend of tradition, tribal culture, and evolving urban growth, shaping its unique identity in India’s social fabric.

According to the 2011 Census, Odisha's overall literacy rate is 72.87%. Male literacy stands at 81.59%, while female literacy is recorded at 64.01%. Odisha's literacy rate is slightly below the national average of 74.04%. Literacy rates vary within the state, with Khordha district having the highest literacy rate at 86.88%, while Nabarangpur has the lowest at 46.43%. In rural areas, the average literacy rate is 70.22%, compared to 85.57% in urban areas. Among the Scheduled Tribe population, the literacy rate is 52.24%.

In terms of poverty, Odisha had a poverty rate of 57.15% in 2004–2005, nearly double the national average of 26.10% at the time. However, since 2005, the state has made significant progress, reducing the poverty rate by 24.6 percentage points, with the current estimate at 32.6%