Demographics of Assam show that the total population of Assam is 26.66 million with 4.91 million households as per 2001 census. Barpeta, Cachar, Kamrup, Dhubri, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Darang are the most thickly populated districts of Assam. The literacy rate in Assam was recorded, as is 63.30 %, where the male literacy rate is 71.30 % and the female literacy rate is 54.60 %. The rate of urbanization in Assam is very slow which has been recorded as 12.90 percent. The various communities of Assam speak forty-five different languages, belonging to the three main language families: Austroasiatic, Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan.

The state of Assam is inhabited by people of different religion and faith. Some of the other religions, which make around 4.44% of the total population, include Animism, Buddhism (followed by communities like the Phake, Khamti, Aito etc.) and Sikhism (by communities in Borkhola, in Nagaon). The state is inhabited by many tribal communities like Bodo, Santhal, Khamyang, Dimasa people, Khamti, Karbi, Singpho, Mishing, Nishi, Phake, Rabha etc. Since the mid 20th century, Assam has experienced a very steep increase in the population. Demographics show that the total population sprang up sharply from 3.29 million in 1901 to 6.70 million in 1941.

As per demographics, 63.13% of the population is Hindu while 32.43% are Muslims. During the later half of the century the population increased at an unprecedented rate to 14.63 million in 1971 and 22.41 million in 1991. There are several ethnic communities in Assam. The People of India project (POI) carried out their research on 115 communities of Assam. Out of which 79 (69%) described themselves as regional, 22 (19%) local, and 3 trans-nationals.

Last Updated on 10 January 2011

Assam Society