Chennai is one of India's most populous cities. The 2011 national census recorded the city's population at 7.1 million, while recent estimates place the greater metropolitan population well over 11 million.
The demographic makeup is predominantly Tamil, though the city is a melting pot that hosts significant Telugu, Malayali, and Hindi-speaking communities, as well as an active expatriate population tied to the automotive and IT sectors.
Hinduism is the majority religion, followed by sizable communities of Muslims and Christians, alongside Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Chennai boasts a high literacy rate, exceeding 90%, which translates to a highly skilled, educated workforce. The gender ratio in Chennai is relatively balanced compared to other major Indian metropolises, and the city has seen steady population growth driven primarily by domestic migration for education and employment.