The capital of Uttar Pradesh keeps expanding. Lucknow’s population has crossed the 3.5 million mark in 2025, making it one of India’s fastest-growing metros. This historic city balances its Mughal heritage with modern IT parks, drawing migrants from smaller towns across UP and beyond.
How Many People Call Lucknow Home?
Recent estimates put Lucknow’s population at approximately 3.57 million within city limits. The broader metropolitan area houses around 4.8 million residents. That’s roughly equivalent to the entire population of New Zealand packed into this single Indian city.
The growth rate sits at about 2.8% annually – faster than many other tier-1 cities. Every year, thousands arrive seeking better jobs, education, and healthcare. The metro rail project and new expressways connecting Delhi and other major hubs have made the city more accessible.
Men, Women, and the Gender Split
Lucknow’s gender ratio tells an interesting story. The city has approximately:
- Male population: 1.88 million (52.7%)
- Female population: 1.69 million (47.3%)
This gives a sex ratio of around 898 females per 1,000 males. While this seems unbalanced, Lucknow actually performs better than many other major Indian cities. Delhi’s ratio, for comparison, hovers around 868.
The gap narrows in educated, middle-class neighborhoods. Areas like Gomti Nagar and Aliganj show more balanced ratios, while industrial zones and older quarters have more men due to migrant labor patterns.
Religious Composition of the City
Lucknow has always been a melting pot. The city’s religious diversity looks something like this:
- Hindu: 2.29 million (64.1%)
- Muslim: 1.14 million (32%)
- Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, and others: 140,000 (3.9%)
The Muslim population in Lucknow is significantly higher than the national average of 14%. This reflects the city’s history as the seat of Awadh’s Nawabs. Old city areas like Chowk, Aminabad, and Hussainabad have thriving Muslim communities. The Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara stand as architectural testaments to this heritage.
Hindu-Muslim harmony remains a point of pride for most residents. Festivals like Eid and Diwali see cross-community celebrations, though like anywhere, challenges exist.
Social Category Distribution
Lucknow’s population spreads across various social categories, reflecting broader UP demographics with urban variations:
Scheduled Castes (SC): Approximately 607,000 people (17%)
The SC community includes groups like Valmikis, Pasis, Jatavs, and Chamars. Many historically worked in sanitation, leather, and manual labor. While discrimination persists, education and reservation policies have helped thousands enter government jobs, teaching, and business. Areas like Daliganj, Natkarnagar, and parts of Rajajipuram have significant SC populations. Economic conditions vary widely – from prosperous traders to daily wage workers.
Scheduled Tribes (ST): Around 7,000 people (0.2%)
Tribal populations remain minimal in Lucknow. Small numbers of Tharus, Gonds, and other groups have migrated from nearby districts or neighboring states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, mostly for construction work or domestic employment.
Other Backward Classes (OBC): Approximately 1.46 million people (41%)
This category dominates numerically. OBCs include numerous castes like Yadavs, Kurmis, Mauryas, Lodhs, Kashyaps, Sainis, Telis, Nais (barbers), Kumhars (potters), Kahars, and many Muslim communities. The economic spectrum runs wide – from wealthy business families to small shopkeepers and farmers-turned-laborers. Political influence of OBCs has grown substantially over the past three decades.
General Category: Roughly 1.49 million people (41.8%)
This includes upper castes like Brahmins, Kayasthas, Rajputs, Baniyas, and Khatris, plus a portion of the Muslim population. Brahmins and Kayasthas traditionally dominated bureaucracy and education. Many still hold white-collar jobs, though the landscape has diversified. Business communities like Khatris and Baniyas control significant commercial activity. Rajput families, once landlords, now work across sectors.
The Poverty Picture
Economic disparity remains a harsh reality. Based on state government data and urban surveys:
- Below Poverty Line (BPL): Approximately 820,000 people (23% of population)
This percentage has dropped from nearly 35% a decade ago, thanks to expanding service sector jobs, government welfare schemes, and better infrastructure. Still, nearly a quarter of the city struggles to meet basic needs.
Slum areas like Daligang, Natkarnagar, and parts of Trans-Gomti house thousands in makeshift dwellings. Many work as domestic help, rickshaw pullers, construction laborers, or street vendors. Monthly incomes often stay below ₹10,000 per household.
Rich vs Poor: Tale of Two Cities
Lucknow showcases extreme contrasts:
Affluent population (annual household income above ₹15 lakh): Around 285,000 people (8%)
Middle class (annual household income ₹3-15 lakh): Roughly 1.78 million people (50%)
Lower-income groups (below ₹3 lakh annually): About 1.5 million people (42%)
Drive through Gomti Nagar Extension, and you’ll see sprawling villas worth crores. Businessmen, bureaucrats, doctors, and tech professionals live in gated communities with swimming pools and clubhouses. Just 15 kilometers away, families in Madiaon or Chinhat share single rooms, fetching water from public taps.
The middle class has expanded dramatically. New malls, multiplexes, and car showrooms cater to this growing segment. Yet the wealth gap yawns wide – the richest 10% control an estimated 60% of the city’s wealth.
What’s Driving the Growth?
Several factors fuel Lucknow’s population boom:
Government jobs – As UP’s capital, the city employs hundreds of thousands in administration, police, education, and healthcare.
Education hub – Institutions like IIM Lucknow, KGMU, and numerous engineering colleges attract students who often stay back.
Real estate expansion – New sectors keep opening. Developers market affordable housing, pulling in buyers from tier-2 towns.
Better connectivity – The international airport handles 50+ flights daily. The metro network expands each year.
Healthcare facilities – Premier hospitals like SGPGI make Lucknow a medical destination for the entire region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the current population density in Lucknow?
The city packs roughly 13,800 people per square kilometer. Compare that to Mumbai’s 20,000+ or Delhi’s 11,000, and Lucknow sits in the middle. Some central areas like Hazratganj and Aminabad have densities exceeding 25,000 per sq km, while newer developments spread out more.
Which areas have the highest population?
Gomti Nagar tops the list with over 400,000 residents, followed by Indira Nagar, Aliganj, and Alambagh. Old city areas like Chowk are densely packed but cover smaller areas. The Trans-Gomti region grows fastest, adding thousands monthly.
How does Lucknow compare to other UP cities?
Lucknow ranks second in UP after Kanpur, which has about 3.8 million people. Ghaziabad (3.6 million) runs close behind. Agra, Varanasi, and Meerut follow. As the state capital, though, Lucknow wields more influence than its population rank suggests.
What’s the literacy rate?
Lucknow boasts around 82% literacy – well above the national urban average of 75%. Male literacy hits 87%, while female literacy sits at 76%. The gap narrows among younger generations. Elite schools dot the city, but quality education remains inaccessible to slum children.
How many people migrate to Lucknow each year?
Estimates suggest 80,000-100,000 people relocate to Lucknow annually. Most come from nearby districts like Hardoi, Sitapur, Barabanki, and Rae Bareli. Migration spikes after monsoon when agricultural work slows. Many arrive with dreams of government jobs or sending children to better schools.
What languages do people speak?
Awadhi Hindi dominates, sprinkled with Urdu words that give Lucknow its distinctive flavor. Older residents speak purer Urdu, especially in Muslim-majority areas. English usage grows among youth and professionals. The famous “Lucknavi” accent – polite, soft, full of adaab and shukriya – still survives, though diluting with influx from other regions.
Will Lucknow overtake Kanpur soon?
Quite possibly. Kanpur’s industrial decline has slowed its growth, while Lucknow surges ahead. If current trends hold, Lucknow could become UP’s most populous city by 2028-2030. The metro system, airport expansion, and new business districts give Lucknow advantages Kanpur lacks.
How many slums exist in the city?
Municipal records list over 350 slum clusters housing approximately 750,000 people. Many more live in unregistered informal settlements. The government has launched housing schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, but demand far exceeds supply. Slum rehabilitation moves slowly due to land disputes and funding gaps.
Challenges Ahead
This rapid growth brings headaches. Traffic congestion worsens yearly. The Gomti River, once the city’s lifeline, chokes with sewage and trash. Water scarcity hits outlying areas hard during summers. Affordable housing can’t keep pace with demand, pushing more families into slums.
Air quality deteriorates during winter, with AQI levels frequently crossing 300. The municipality struggles to manage waste from millions of residents. Power cuts, though less frequent than before, still plague certain areas.
The city administration faces tough choices – how to accommodate growth while preserving Lucknow’s legendary tehzeeb (culture) and preventing environmental collapse.