India’s Changing Demographics: 2026 Analysis of Hindu Population Trends Across States

Rank	Region name	Annual Growth Rate %
1	Himachal Pradesh	1.35
2	Odisha	1.32
3	Chhattisgarh	1.30
4	DNHDD	1.28
5	Madhya Pradesh	1.27
6	Andhra Pradesh	1.25
7	Gujarat	1.23
8	Rajasthan	1.22
9	Tamil Nadu	1.20
10	Haryana	1.18
11	Karnataka	1.15
12	Uttar Pradesh	1.12
13	Bihar	1.10
14	Maharashtra	1.08
15	Jharkhand	1.05
16	Uttarakhand	1.03
17	West Bengal	1.00
18	Punjab	0.95
19	Telangana	0.92
20	Kerala	0.85
21	Goa	0.82
22	Sikkim	0.80
23	Puducherry	0.78
24	Delhi	0.75
25	Chandigarh	0.72
26	Jammu and Kashmir	0.65
27	Assam	0.60
28	Tripura	0.55
29	Manipur	0.50
30	Arunachal Pradesh	0.45
31	Ladakh	0.40
32	Meghalaya	0.35
33	Mizoram	0.30
34	Nagaland	0.25
35	Lakshadweep	0.20
36	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.18

India is undergoing consistent demographic changes while Hindus continue to hold the majority. Forecasts for 2026 indicate diverse annual growth rates among states and union territories.

These estimates are based on decadal trends from 2001 to 2011, variations in fertility rates, and recent national decelerations in population growth.

In general, the growth of the Hindu population closely mirrors India’s overall population increase of approximately 0.9 percent each year, although regional influences lead to significant variations.

Regional Variations and Key Drivers

High-growth states are prevalent in central and eastern India. Himachal Pradesh stands out with an annual growth rate of 1.35 percent, attributed to its strong cultural connections and lower urbanization pressures that help maintain traditional family sizes.

Following closely are Odisha and Chhattisgarh, where rural economies and temple-focused communities contribute to stable birth rates.

Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan also report impressive figures exceeding 1.2 percent.

These regions are characterized by agrarian lifestyles and limited access to higher education, which in turn delays declines in fertility.

In contrast, southern and western states exhibit moderate growth rates. Tamil Nadu and Haryana achieve approximately 1.2 percent, managing to balance development with cultural preservation.

Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra show growth rates ranging from 1.0 to 1.15 percent.

Although Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have high absolute population numbers, their percentage growth is slower due to ongoing family planning efforts and increasing literacy rates.

Regions with lower growth rates are primarily found in the south, northeast, and union territories.

Kerala reports a growth rate of 0.85 percent, a reflection of decades of high educational attainment and healthcare access that have driven fertility rates below replacement levels.

The northeastern states, including Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, show rates below 0.6 percent.

Factors such as historical missionary influences, tribal demographics, and a predominance of Christian populations have led to more significant declines in fertility.

Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and smaller territories like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands experience minimal growth, under 0.5 percent, influenced by diverse religious compositions and migration trends.

National trends indicate a convergence. Hindu fertility is approximately 1.94 children per woman, which is close to the replacement level.

Growth rates are slowing across all demographics due to factors such as urbanization, women’s education, and government initiatives.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, Hindus make up about 78.5 percent of the national population in recent estimates, with gradual declines attributed to varying fertility rates among communities. Nevertheless, the absolute number of Hindus continues to rise steadily.

States with larger Hindu populations often experience stronger growth driven by cultural and economic influences. Rural regions tend to resist the rapid effects of urbanization longer than urban areas.

Migration also plays a significant role—outflows from high-Hindu states like Bihar mitigate local growth rates, while inflows contribute to the diversification of urban centers.

These projections underscore India’s demographic maturity. Overall growth is decelerating, which indicates advancements in health and education.

Hindus continue to represent a significant majority, adding millions each year despite a decrease in percentage.

While regional disparities remain, national policies are aimed at fostering balanced development and inclusive growth.

Based on:

• Pew Research Center. (2021). Population growth and religious composition in India. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/09/21/population-growth-and-religious-composition/
• Census of India. (2011). Religion data. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.