What is the population of Bengaluru?
Bengaluru has a city population of 8,495,492. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
About Bengaluru
Bangalore (officially Bengaluru) is India's third-largest city and the capital of Karnataka state, with a metropolitan population exceeding 13 million. Known as the 'Silicon Valley of India,' Bangalore is the country's IT capital, hosting major tech companies and startups while maintaining its reputation as a garden city.
Metro population
13,193,000
0.159% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+2.42%
Archive estimateDensity
11,313/km²
1,166 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 221
Coordinates
12.972, 77.594
Record updated
24 May 2025
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured.
Nearby Cities
All 3,732 in IndiaClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Bengaluru | 8.5M |
History
Bangalore was founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda I. The British developed it as a cantonment town with pleasant climate. After independence, public sector industries (HAL, ISRO, BHEL) established presence. The IT boom from the 1990s transformed Bangalore into a global technology hub.
Economy
Bangalore is India's technology capital, hosting campuses of global tech giants (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Intel) and Indian IT leaders (Infosys, Wipro). The startup ecosystem is India's largest. Aerospace and defense industries are significant. The IT sector alone employs millions. GDP per capita is among India's highest.
Culture
Bangalore blends cosmopolitan tech culture with Kannada traditions. The city is known for its pubs, live music, and café culture. Kannada cinema (Sandalwood) is based here. Gardens, parks, and lakes dot the city. Street food and South Indian cuisine are beloved. The weather supports outdoor lifestyle.
Transportation
Bangalore Metro (Namma Metro) is expanding rapidly. Buses serve the city but traffic congestion is severe—among India's worst. Kempegowda International Airport is 40km from the city. Uber and Ola are ubiquitous. The city is investing in suburban rail.
Current Challenges
Bangalore faces severe challenges: legendary traffic congestion, water scarcity (most water is pumped from over 100km away), disappearing lakes and green spaces, inadequate infrastructure, and unplanned urban sprawl. The IT boom has strained all services. Air quality is declining.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Vidhana Soudha
- Bangalore Palace
- Lalbagh Botanical Garden
- Cubbon Park
- ISKCON Temple
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
- UB City
- Nandi Hills (nearby)
What Bangalore Is Known For
- IT industry
- Startups
- Climate
- Parks
- Pubs
Universities
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore University
- Christ University
Sports Teams
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (cricket)
- Bengaluru FC (football)
Interesting Facts
- Bangalore has over 10,000 IT companies
- The city was once known for its lakes—most are now encroached
- Bangalore has India's highest number of billionaires
- The climate is pleasant year-round due to elevation
- MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms) invented masala dosa in 1920
Population Trend in India
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 346,278,821 |
| 1960 | 435,990,338 |
| 1970 | 545,864,268 |
| 1980 | 687,354,025 |
| 1990 | 864,972,221 |
| 2000 | 1,057,922,733 |
| 2010 | 1,243,481,564 |
| 2020 | 1,402,617,695 |
| 2030 | 1,525,138,844 |
| 2040 | 1,622,580,039 |
| 2050 | 1,679,589,259 |
| 2060 | 1,700,951,714 |
| 2070 | 1,689,202,539 |
| 2080 | 1,645,548,761 |
| 2090 | 1,580,305,096 |
| 2100 | 1,505,251,761 |
Bengaluru Population FAQ
Where is Bengaluru?
Bengaluru is in Karnataka, India, 1,741 km from the capital, New Delhi. Its coordinates are 12.972, 77.594.
How big is Bengaluru compared with other cities in India?
It is the 3rd largest of the 3,732 cities listed in India, holding 0.6% of the national population.