According to the 2011 Indian Census, Chandigarh had a population of 1,055,450. Current estimates place the city's population at approximately 1.2 million. The city has experienced rapid population growth due to steady in-migration drawn by its high standard of living, employment opportunities, and educational institutions.
Chandigarh has an exceptionally high literacy rate of over 86%, significantly higher than the national average. The demographics are diverse, with Hinduism being the predominant religion (approx. 80%), followed by Sikhism (approx. 13%), Islam (approx. 4%), and smaller communities of Christians, Jains, and Buddhists.
Hindi and Punjabi are the most widely spoken languages, while English serves as the primary language of administration, commerce, and higher education. The population is relatively young and boasts one of the highest per capita incomes in the country.
