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Meghalaya - General Information

Endowed with incredible natural beauty, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states in Northeast India. Known as 'the abode of clouds' in Sanskrit (Megh- Cloud; Alay- Home), Meghalaya is a hilly state landlocked between Assam and Bangladesh. Meghalaya was previously part of Assam but attained its full-fledged statehood on 21st January 1972 after the approval of "The North Eastern Reorganisation Act, 1971"in Parliament. Shillong the capital of Meghalaya,known as the "Scotland of the East" is located at an altitude of 1496 metres above sea level. Meghalaya is the homeland mainly of the Khasis, the Jaintias and the Garos. The Garos inhabit in western Meghalaya, the Khasis in central Meghalaya, and the Jaintias in eastern Meghalaya. English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar and Garo.

 

Bordering States/ Countries:

NorthEastWestSouth
AssamAssamBangladeshBangladesh

 

Meghalaya State at a Glance:

Sl NoParticularsStatistics
1Geographical Area22,429 Km2
2Geographical LocationLatitude: 20.1° N to 26.5° N,
Longitude: 85.49°E to 92.52 E
3Climate TemperaturesSummer: 18.2° C to 22.7 ° C
Winter: 7.2° C to 15.7 ° C
4State CapitalShillong
5No. of Districts (As on 2017)11 (East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, South West Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, North Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills,West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills)
6No. of Autonomous District Councils3 Nos.
7No. of Sub-divisions4 Nos.
8No. of Development Blocks46 Nos.
9Major Agricultural ProductsRice, wheat, maize, jute, rape seeds, mustard, tea, cashew nut, oilseeds, tomato and mushroom.
10Major Horticultural ProductsVegetable and spices include as tomato, brinjal, potato, sweet potato, chilli, cabbage, turmeric, ginger, tapioca and pear.
Fruit consists of Orange, plum, pear ,peach, lemon, pineapple, guava, litchi, banana, cashew and jackfruit.
11Forest ProductsBroomgrass, bamboo, timber, lichen, reed, cane, wild pepper, medicinal herbs and plants, cinnamon and thatch-grass.
12Mineral ResourcesCoal, sillimanite limestone, iron ore, quartzite, glass sand kaolin, clay, granite and uranium.
13Traditional ProductsHandicrafts made with cane and bamboo products, woven wonders, wood carving textile weaving.
14Prime IndustriesFood processing, steel units, floriculture, horticulture, cement, tourism, hydroelectric power, handlooms, handicrafts and sericulture.
15PeopleKhasi, Jaintia and Garo
16Languages SpokenEnglish is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar, Hajong, Rabha, Garo and Biate.
17FestivalsWangala Festival, Nongkrem Dance, Shad Suk Mynsiem and Behdienkhlam.
18Major RiversSimsang, Kynshi, Namliang, Myntdu, Lukha and Umngot.

 

Population, Area, Density, Sex ratio and Literates according to Census 2011:

Description20112001
Approximate Population29.67 Lakhs23.19 Lakh
Actual Population29668892,318,822
Male14918321176087
Female14750571142735
Population Growth27.95%29.94%
Percentage of total Population0.25%0.23%
Sex Ratio989972
Child Sex Ratio970973
Density/km2132103
Area (Km2)2242922429
Total Child Population (0-6 Age)568536467979
Male Population (0-6 Age)288646237215
Female Population (0-6 Age)279890230764
Literacy74.43 %62.56 %
Male Literacy75.95 %65.43 %
Female Literacy72.89 %59.61 %
Total Literate17850051157875
Male Literate913879614272
Female Literate871126543603

Source: census2011.co.in

 

Rural and Urban Population Statistics, 2011 Census:

DescriptionRuralUrban
Population (%)79.93 %20.07 %
Total Population2371439595450
Male Population1194260297572
Female Population1177179297878
Population Growth27.17 %31.12 %
Sex Ratio9861001
Child Sex Ratio (0-6)972954
Child Population (0-6)49059277944
Child Percentage (0-6)20.69 %13.09 %
Literates1315154469851
Average Literacy69.92 %90.79 %
Male Literacy71.46 %92.46 %
Female Literacy67.15 %89.24 %

Source: census2011.co.in

 

Religion-wise Population according to Census 2011:

DescriptionPopulationPercentage
Christian221302774.59%
Hindu34207811.53%
Other Religion2582718.71%
Muslim1303994.40%
Buddhist98640.33%
Not Available95780.32%
Sikh30450.10%
Jain6270.02%

Source: census2011.co.in

 

District Head Quarters and CD Blocks:

Sl. No.District NameHead QuarterSl. No.Block Name
1East Khasi Hills DistrictShillong11Mylliem C&RD Block
22Mawphlang C&RD Block
33Mawsynram C&RD Block
44Shella Bholaganj C&RD Block
55Pynursla C&RD Block
66Khatarshnong Laitkroh C&RD Block
77Mawkynrew C&RD Block
88Mawryngkneng C&RD Block
99Sohiong C&RD Block
1010Mawpat C&RD Block
1111Mawlai C&RD Block
2West Khasi Hills DistrictNongsto121Mairang C&RD Block
132Mawthadraishan C&RD Block
143Nongstoin C&RD Block
154Mawshynrut C&RD Block
3South West Khasi Hills DistrictMawkyrwat161Mawkyrwat C&RD Block
172Ranikor C&RD Block

4

 

Ri Bhoi DistrictNongpoh181Umsning C&RD Block
192Umling C&RD Block
203Jirang C&RD Block
214Bhoirymbong C & RD Block
5West Jaintia Hills DistrictJowai221Thadlaskein C&RD Block
232Laskein C&RD Block
243Amlarem C&RD Block
6East Jaintia Hills DistrictKhliehriat251Khliehriat C&RD Block
262Saipung C&RD Block
7East Garo Hills DistrictWilliamnagar271Dambo Rongjeng C&RD Block
282Songsak C&RD Block
293Samanda C&RD Block
8West Garo Hills DistrictTura301Rongram C&RD Block
312Dadenggiri C&RD Block
323Selsella C&RD Block
334Tikrikilla C&RD Block
345Gambegre C&RD Block
356Dalu C&RD Block
367Demdema C & RD
9North Garo Hills DistrictResubelpara371Resubelpara C&RD Block
382Kharkutta C&RD Block
393Bajengdoba C&RD Block
10South West Garo Hills DistrictAmpati401Betasing C&RD Block
412Zikzak C&RD Block
423Damalgre C & RD Block
11South Garo Hills DistrictBaghmara431Baghmara C&RD Block
442Gasuapara C&RD Block
453Ronggara C&RD Block
464Chokpot C&RD Block

Source: Official web portal of Govt. of Meghalaya

 

Population Trend, Census 1901-2011:

Census YearPopulationFemale per 1000 MalesDecennial Growth Rate
MaleFemaleTotal
19011672561732683405241036 
19111957061982993940051013(+)15.71
19212112162111874224031000(+)07.21
1931243993236844480837971(+)13.83
1941282666273154555820966(+)15.59
1951310706294968605674949(+)08.97
1961397288372092769380937(+)27.03
19715209674907321011699942(+)31.50
19816837106521091335819954(+)32.04
19919076878670911774778955(+)32.86
2001117608711427352318822972(+)30.65
2011149183214750572966889989(+)27.95

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

District-Wise Area and Density of Population in Meghalaya, 2011 Census:

District/ StateArea in km2MaleFemaleTotalDensity of population per km2Females per 1000 males
Jaintia Hills38191962851988393951241031013
East Khasi Hills27484107494151738259223001011
Ri-Bhoi2448132531126309258840106953
West Khasi Hills524719371518974638346173980
East Garo Hills2603161223156694317917122972
West Garo Hills3677324159319132643291175984
South Garo Hills1889731706916414233476945
Meghalaya22429149183214750572966889132989

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Sex-wise Rural-Urban Population, 2011 Census:

District/ StateRuralUrbanTotal
MaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotal
Jaintia Hills182610184084366694136751475528430196285198839395124
East Khasi Hills228409231032459441182340184141366481410749415173825922
Ri-Bhoi118705114882233587138261142725253132531126309258840
West Khasi Hills172380167976340356213352177043105193775189746383461
East Garo Hills138763134962273725224602173244192161223156694317917
West Garo Hills286923281510568433372363762274858324159319132643291
South Garo Hills664706273312920367006431131317317069164142334
Meghalaya119426011771792371439297572297878595450149183214750572966889

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Distribution of Working Population, Census (1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011):

Census YearTotal PopulationWorkersNon-Workers
MainMarginalTotal
19711011699NANA446828564871
1981133581958022033221613441722378
19911774778715587417357573221017456
200123188227570112131359701461348676
2011296688992157526404411856191781268

NA: Information Not Available

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Total Population, Main Workers, Marginal Workers, Total Workers and Non-Workers, 2011 Census:

Industrial ClassificationDistrictsMeghalaya
Jaintia HillsEast Khasi HillsRi-BhoiWest Khasi HillsEast Garo HillsWest Garo HillsSouth Garo Hills
Main Workers
a. Cultivators43665700865095571021551569831922068411270
b. Agricultural Labourers186003046414216199878054205402781114642
c. Workers in household industries12832332127714161240395746411969
d. Other workers470691866942442727379194866555513084383694
Marginal Workers
a. Cultivators717966814875139352223422421607783405
b. Agricultural Labourers17166104255773171971119219185278483722
c. Workers in household industries7216343991059123536867858519
d. Other workers1849719470454811351747622030502688398
Total Workers154180326786106473163345126073255693530691185619
Non-Workers240944499136152367220116191844387598892651781270

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Block-wise Population, 2011 Census:

District/ BlockArea (Km2)Population (2011) CensusDensity per Km2No. of Females per '000 Males
PersonMaleFemale
Jaintia Hills38193951241962851988391031013
1. Thadlaskein75313793967905700341831031
2. Laskein553904024524445158163998
3. Amlarem3984384421903219411101002
4. Khliehriat2115858324262843204411013
5. Saipung-371071860518502-994
East Khasi Hills27488259224107494151733011011
1. Mawphlang2907149135331361602471023
2. Mylliem20444295022028122266921711011
3. Mawryngkneng2936729133396338952301015
4. Mawkynrew3554460222118224841261017
5. Khatarshnong laitkroh-335701672316847-1007
6. Mawsynram523541092714326966103993
7. Shella-Bholaganj57854039272512678893983
8. Pynursla5055787028506293641151030
West Khasi Hills524738346119371518974673980
1. Mawshynrut161474490380813640946956
2. Nongstoin97481840410354080584994
3. Mairang110682437413944104375992
4. Ranikor69541218212611995759939
5. Mawkyrwat85854462273222714063993
6. Mawthadraishan 490142462224392 991
Ri-Bhoi2448258840135231126309106953
1. Umling121687021439944302772978
2. Jirang-309191593414985-940
3. Umsning1232117168604455672395941
East Garo Hills2603317917161223156694122972
1. Resubelpara4681045145276951745223981
2. Dambo-Rongjeng88552584266342595059974
3. Songsak70353107268622624576977
4. Samandra547562352890327332103946
5. Kharkutta-514772605525422-976
West Garo Hills3677643291324159319132175984
1. Betasing301721033634035763240984
2. Dalu62254095273512674487978
3. Selsella5351752068834986857327983
4. Dadenggiri61741595208422075367996
5. Tikrikilla330583882926729121177995
6. Rongram8671337566711466642154993
7. Zikzak405746023786736735184970
8. Gambegre-335461702916517-970
South Garo Hills1887142334731706916475945
1. Chokpot64940478206471983162960
2. Baghmara65150617261562446178935
3. Rongara58723023118871113639937
4. Gasuapara 282161448013736-949

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Scheduled Tribe Population, 2011 Census:

District/ StateRuralUrbanTotalScheduled Tribes as % to total population
MaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotal
Jaintia Hills17361717654135015812249136922594118586619023337609995.19
East Khasi Hills21372121890043262110632712221022853732004834111066115880.05
Ri-Bhoi107235105090212325867290841775611590711417423008188.89
West Khasi Hills16804016441533245521094215484264218913418596337509795.82
East Garo Hills13463713134226597919224199773920115386115131930518095.99
West Garo Hills21072420956142028526048276765372423677223723747400973.69
South Garo Hills62583604851230685557561211169681406609713423794.31
Meghalaya10705571066334213689119917121979941897012697281286133255586186.15

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Scheduled Caste Population, 2011 Census:

District/ StateRuralUrbanTotalScheduled Castes as % to total population
MaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotal
Jaintia Hills7244911215604210278453313170.33
East Khasi Hills1566148830541358123025882924271856420.68
Ri-Bhoi2792255045036863296215900.23
West Khasi Hills836214510132393751680.04
East Garo Hills128872151761182943042055090.16
West Garo Hills3197305762491338122325614535427588101.37
South Garo Hills1098219179491281881313190.22
Meghalaya606854871157330712711578291578198173550.58

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Scheduled Tribes/ Scheduled Caste Population, Census (1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011):

Particulars19711981199120012011Decadal Growth
1971-19811981-19911991-20012001-2011
Scheduled Tribe814230107634515179271992862255586132.1941.0231.2928.25
Scheduled Caste388754929072111391735541.2965.1922.7855.80
Others19358225398224777931482139367331.20-2.4427.0625.05
Total1011699133581917747782318822296688932.0432.8630.6527.94

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Population by Religion According to Census (1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011):

ReligionPopulation
19711981199120012011
Hindus187140240831260306307822342078
Muslims26347414346146299169130399
Christians475267702854114609216289862213027
Sikhs12621674261231103045
Buddhists18782739293447039864
Jains268542445772627
Other Religion318168344215298466267245258271
1.Jaintia   79 
2.Khasi   120245 
3.Niram Shnong   6041 
4.Niamtre   77376 
5.Pnar   214 
6.Shnong   1398 
7.Others   61892 
Religion not Stated13691530246170159578
Total10116991335819177477823188222966889

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016

 

Death and Birth Rates in Meghalaya, 1990 to 2013:

(Per Thousand)

YearBirth RateDeath Rate
CombinedRuralUrbanCombinedRuralUrban
199031.835.415.57.8--
199132.4--8.8--
199229.833.115.08.59.72.7
199328.530.717.66.87.72.7
199429.532.116.77.17.64.3
199529.031.814.88.99.75.1
199630.433.216.38.99.94.1
199730.232.916.68.89.74.4
199829.231.815.69.09.94.2
199928.731.115.79.110.23.3
200028.531.015.39.210.14.6
200128.330.715.09.09.93.9
200225.827.814.618.119.410.7
200324.726.613.87.48.13.4
200425.226.618.57.37.66.0
200525.127.315.17.57.96.0
200624.726.417.18.08.55.8
200724.426.117.07.57.96.0
200825.227.315.67.98.45.4
200924.426.415.08.18.65.7
201024.526.614.87.98.45.6
201124.126.214.67.88.35.5
201224.126.214.47.68.15.4
201323.926.114.27.68.05.4

Source: Statistical Abstract Meghalaya, 2016