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Karnataka vs Tamil Nadu

Both columns come from the Census of India 2011, so they describe the same moment and can be read side by side. Boundaries have changed in several states since, which is worth keeping in mind when comparing these with any present day figure.

Census 2011 figures for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Measure Karnataka Tamil Nadu
Population (people) 61,095,297 72,147,030
Area (sq km) 191,791 130,060
Literacy rate (per cent) 75.36 80.09
Male literacy (per cent) 82.47 86.77
Female literacy (per cent) 68.08 73.44
Sex ratio (per 1000 males) 973 996
Child sex ratio (per 1000 males) 948 943
Rural population (people) 37,469,335 37,229,590
Urban population (people) 23,625,962 34,917,440
Districts 30 38

Questions about this comparison

By population, Tamil Nadu. The Census of India 2011 recorded 72,147,030 in Tamil Nadu against 61,095,297 in Karnataka.

Tamil Nadu, at 80.09 per cent against 75.36 per cent, counting everyone aged 7 and above who can read and write.

Tamil Nadu, with 996 females per 1000 males against 973. A figure below 1000 means women are outnumbered.

Both columns are reproduced from the Census of India 2011. Nothing is estimated, and no adjustment is made for boundary changes since.

No. They are a fixed 2011 snapshot. Populations have grown since, and several states have created new districts, so present day totals differ.

Source: Census of India 2011. See about the data, or compare on a single measure from the rankings.