A post claiming that, while the Muslim population is growing at the rate of 25% in Kerala, followed by Christians at 20%, the growth rate of Hindu population is at 3%. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Population growth rate in Kerala: Hindus- 3%, Muslims- 25%, Christians- 20%.
Fact: Muslim population grew at 15.8% during the period 1991-2001 which declined to 12.83% during the period 2001-2011. The Christian population in Kerala grew at a rate of 7.7% during the period 1991-2001, whereas for the time period 2001-2011 their population grew at a meagre rate of 1.38%. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
As per 2011 census data, the total population of Kerala state is 3.34 crores. Of this, the Hindus are 1.82 crores which constitutes about 54.73%. Muslims constitute about 26.56% with a population size of 88.73 lakhs. The Christians constitute about 18.38% of the total population with a population size of 61.41 lakhs.
In Kerala, as per the census data, rate of population growth of these three major religions declined during the period 2001-2011 census compared to 1991-2001 census. The rate of growth of the Hindu population for the period 1991-2001 was at 7.3% which declined to 2.2% during the period 2001-2011. Muslim population grew at 15.8% during the period 1991-2001 which declined to 12.83% during the period 2001-2011. During the period 1991-2001 Christian population in Kerala grew at a rate of 7.7%, whereas for the time period 2001-2011 their population saw a meagre growth rate of 1.38%. Although Muslim population witnessed the highest growth rate for consecutive decades compared to Hindus and Christians, the Muslim population did not grow at 25% as claimed in the post.
To sum it up, inaccurate figures are being shared as population growth rate of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in Kerala.
