According to the 2011 Census, Kerala's population is approximately 34.6 million, with relatively slow population growth compared to the rest of India. It exhibits a unique demographic profile characterized by an aging population and a high sex ratio; it is the only Indian state where women outnumber men (roughly 1,084 women per 1,000 men).
Kerala is highly diverse and remarkably harmonious in its religious composition, with Hindus making up about 54% of the population, Muslims 26%, and Christians 18%. Malayalam is the principal and official language, spoken by the vast majority. The state's populace is highly educated, boasting a literacy rate of over 96%. A significant demographic factor is the large Keralite diaspora, particularly in the Persian Gulf region, whose remittances have historically played a major role in the local economy.