As of the last official Census of India (2011), Kavaratti had a population of approximately 11,210 residents. Given the limited land area, it is one of the more densely populated islands in the archipelago.
- **Ethnic and Cultural Composition**: The vast majority of the population are ethnically Malayali and follow Islam (predominantly the Shafi school of the Sunni sect). - **Languages**: The primary local language is Jeseri (also known as Dweep Bhasha), a dialect of Malayalam with a heavy mix of Arabic and Tamil influences. Standard Malayalam and English are used for official, educational, and commercial purposes. - **Education and Demographics**: Kavaratti boasts a high literacy rate of over 88%, surpassing the Indian national average. Society is traditionally matrilineal, a unique cultural trait shared with some communities in Kerala, where property is passed down through the female line.
