Tripura ranks second highest in terms population among the North-eastern states of India after Assam with the average annual exponential growth rate of 1.46% as revealed from the data of Census-2001.The state ranks 17^th position in terms of density of population, although, it is the 2^nd most smallest State in the entire country after Goa.

The final population of Tripura as per Census-2001was 31,99,203 comprising of 16,42.225 males and remaining 15,56,978 females. The decadal growth rate during 1991-2001 has registered the sharpest decline. It declined from 34.30% for 1981-1991 to 15.74% for the period of 1991-2001, a decrease of 18.56%. The average exponential growth rate has declined from 2.95% per annum during 1981-1991 to 1.46% per annum during 1991-2001.The data of Census-2001 also reveals that a decline of more than five percentage points in decadal growth rate during 1991-2001 from the previous census decade was recorded in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura among Northeastern states. The estimated mid-year population of Tripura in 2004 was 33,55,000 comprising of 17,21,000 males and remaining 16,34,000 females.

 On the other hand, Census-2001 reveals that the population of India at 0:00 hours of 1^st March 2001 stood at 102,70,15,247 with average exponential growth rate of 1.93% per annum during 1991-2001. India is thus the second country in the world after China to cross the one billion mark. It is now estimated that by 2050, India will most likely overtake China to become the most populous country on the earth with 17.2% population living here as indicated in the report of the World Population Prospects :

The 1998 Revision, UN-Population Division. The decadal growth rate has declined at all India level from 23.86% for 1981-1991 to 21.34% for the period 1991-2001, a decrease of 2.52%. The percentage decadal growth has declined during the census decade 1991-2001 as compared to the previous census decade in all the States/ Union territories except Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Gujarat, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

The demographic features of the N-E states in 2001 are depicted in the following table : 

Source: Census-2001, RGI 

The following table shows the key demographic features in 1991 and 2001 for Tripura and all India :- 

Source : Census-2001, RGI 

Rural population: The rural population forms 82.94% of total population as indicated in the final result of Census –2001, the similar proportion was 84.70% in 1991 for the state.

 The total rural population was 26,53,453, out of which males and females population were 13,59,288 and 12,89,815,respectively, as per final result of Census-2001.

 Urban population: In 2001, 17.06% of the state’s population was in urban areas as against 27.78% at all India level. The similar proportion was 15.30% for the state in 1991. In 2001,total urban population stood at 5,45,750 and the urban males and females population were 2,78,587 and  ,67,163,respectively.

Out of the total urban population of 5,45,750, the population in the Agartala Municipal Council area was 1,89,998 in 2001 with literacy rate of 92.20%.

Density : Tripura ranks 17^th position in terms of density of population at all India level. Among the North-eastern states, Tripura is now the second highest populated state after Assam. The population density of Tripura in 2001 is 305 persons per sq. km., which means that now 42 more people live in a sq. km. area in the state then they lived a decade ago. The population density for all India in 2001 is 324.

Sex composition: The Census- 2001 data reveals that the sex ratio was 948 (per 1000 males) against all India sex ratio of 933 (per 1000 males) in the state. This is a positive improvement in sex ratio in the state and it rose from 945 (per 1000 males) in 1991 to 948 (per 1000 males) in 2001. The sex ratio in the age group 0-6 stood at 975 (per 1000 males) and sex ratio of population aged 7 and above stood at 947(per 1000 males) in 2001.

Child population: The Census-2001 data reveals that the child population in the age group 0-6 was 4,36,446, out of which 2,22,002 males and 2,14,444 females. The proportion of child population in the age group 0-6 years was 13.64% on 1^st March 2001,which decreased from 18.03% in 1991. The proportion of child population in the age group 0-6 to total population has also declined at all India level from 17.94% in 1991 to 15.42% in 2001. 

ST/SC population: The ST population of the state was 9,93,426 that consist 31.05% of the total population in 2001. Out of this, 5,04,320 were ST males and remaining 4,89,106 the ST females. The total literacy rate of S.T. population was 40.37% out of which male- S.T. literate was 52.88% while female- S.T. literate was 27.34%

There are 19 scheduled tribes in the state with their own cultural identity, which includesTripuri, Reang, Jamatia, Chakma, Lusai, Mog, Garo, Kuki, Chaimal, Uchai, Halam, Khasia, Bhutia, Kunda, Orang, Lepcha, Santal, Bhil and Noatia.  

The Census 2001 data reveals that total SC population was 5,55,724 which consists 17.37% of the total population in the state. Out of this, total SC males were 2,83,186 and remaining 2,72,538 SC females.  

Literacy rate: Literacy and education are reasonably good indicators of development in a society. The literacy rate for Tripura in 2001 works out to 73.20% for the population 7 years and above, which was 60.44% in 1991. The corresponding figures for males and females were 81.47% and 65.41%, respectively, in 2001. The gap in male-female rate in the state observes at 16.06 %. The literacy rate at all India level stood at 65.38% in 2001. The literacy rate for rural population was 70.23% whereas the literacy rate for urban population was 89.51% in 2001. 

Disabled  popolation: The Census- 2001 collected information on disabled population of the state by type.

 The following table shows the disabled population by type for rural and urban areas of the state :-

Source: Census-2001, RGI

Religion: The religion figure for Census- 2001 reveals that 85.60% of the population was the Hindu population. The Muslims, Christians and Buddhists population were 8%, 3.2% and 3.1%, respectively in 2001. 

The following table shows the religions communities of the state in 2001 

Source: Census-2001, RGI

The state has four districts and their population, density as well as

literacy rates in 2001 were as follows :- 

                                                    Source: Census-2001, RGI

Among the four districts of the state, West Tripura district has found more densely populated with 512 persons per sq. km. followed by North Tripura district with 290 persons per sq. km. and South Tripura district with 251persons per sq. km. in 2001. The lowest population density was in Dhalai district with 128 persons per sq. km. in 2001.

 Vital statistics: Considerable progress has been made in respect of socio-demographic parameters like birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate etc. for the state over the years. Data from the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) indicates that these rates are not only declined for Tripura but these are well below than those for all India level. 

The birth rate, death rate as well as infant mortality rate for Tripura and all India

till 2002 are presented below

 (Per thousand)

Source: SRS, RGI 

Lower CBR, CDR as well as infant mortality in the state are due to steady improvement in the basic health facilities, successful implementation of family welfare programmes as well as empowerment of the women through Panchyat Raj  system and social welfare programmes over last two decades despite its backwardness and geographical isolation from the main land.  

Rising literacy rate as a result of wide spread free Government school education system as well as mass adult literacy campaign through direct involvement of the poor and backward classes in the local decision-making process through the Panchayet/Panchayet  samities/Zila Parisad has a positive and direct impact for better quality of life. Over and above, effective coverage of health and family welfare services in the state is another responsible factor for attaining better socio-demographic parameters of the state.

The comparative socio-demographic parameters like birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate for 2002 among the North-Eastern states of India are presented in the following table :-

 (per thousand population)