Kerala has a population of over 33.4 million (2011 census, projected to reach near 35.6 million today), making it one of the more densely populated states in India. However, its population growth rate is the lowest in the country, a result of widespread education and family planning initiatives.
The state is famous for its favorable gender ratio, with more females than males. It is also undergoing a demographic transition, leading to an increasingly aging population. Ethnically, the vast majority are Malayalis. The state is exceptionally diverse religiously: Hindus constitute roughly 54% of the population, Muslims about 26%, and Christians around 18%, enjoying a historically strong tradition of communal harmony. Education levels are remarkably high, with a literacy rate hovering around 96-98%, the highest in India.
