According to the 2011 Census of India, the Mahe district had a population of 41,816. Due to its very small area of 9 square kilometers, Mahe is incredibly dense, boasting a population density of roughly 4,600 people per square kilometer.
The population is highly educated, boasting a literacy rate of over 97%, which is among the highest in India. Ethnically and culturally, the population is predominantly Malayali. Malayalam is the primary language of daily life, commerce, and media, though English is widely understood. French is still spoken by a small fraction of the older generation and those associated with local French institutions.
Religious demographics are fairly diverse, comprising Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, who have historically lived together in harmony. The St. Theresa's Shrine is a major center of Catholic devotion that draws pilgrims of all faiths.
