Demographics Of Kerala
- The 31.8 million Keralites are predominantly of Malayali descent, while the rest is mostly made up of Jewish and Arab elements in both culture and ancestry.
- Kerala's 321,000 indigenous tribal Adivasis (tribal), 1.10% of the population, are concentrated in the east.
- Kerala has witnessed significant migration of its people, especially to the Persian Gulf countries, starting with the Kerala Gulf boom, and is uniquely dependent on remittances from its large Malayali expatriate community
- Malayalam is Kerala’s official language.
- Females comprise 51.42% of the population; males form the remaining 48.58% of the population.
- Kerala's principal religions are Hinduism (56.2%), Islam (24.70%), and Christianity (19.00%).
Hinduism
- The major Hindu castes are Nambudiri, Nairs, Ezhavas and Dalits.
- Movements like Narayana Guru’s movement for social reform and tolerance helped to establish Kerala as one of the most socially progressive states in India
Islam
- Islam and Judaism arrived in Kerala through Arab traders.
Jew
- A significant Jewish community existed in Kerala until the 20th century when most of them migrated to Israel leaving only a handful of families.
- The Paradesi Synagogue at Kochi is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth.
Christianity
- Christianity is believed to have reached the shores of Kerala in 52 AD with the arrival of St Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
- The major Christian denominations are Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Protestant
Jainism & Buddhism
- Jainism has a considerable following in the Wayanad district.
- Buddhism was dominant at the time of Ashoka the Great but vanished by the 8th century AD.