Population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a union territory of India consisting of 572 islands located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Due to its remote location and dense forests, it has a very small and unique population profile.

Question (Click to Flip)

Can anyone buy land and settle in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Answer

While Indian citizens can visit, there are strict restrictions on buying land or settling in tribal reserve areas to protect the indigenous populations and the fragile ecosystem.

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Key Facts

Out of the 572 islands, only about 38 are permanently inhabited.

The Sentinelese tribe fiercely resists contact with the outside world.

The literacy rate of the union territory is quite high, standing at over 86%.

1. Current Population Data

According to the last official Census of India (2011), the population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was 380,581. Estimated population projections for 2024 suggest it is around 400,000 to 430,000. It is one of the least populated regions in India.

2. Demographics and Density

Population Density: The islands have a very low population density of roughly 46 persons per square kilometer.
Urban vs Rural: The majority of the population lives in rural areas, though the capital city, Port Blair (on South Andaman Island), is densely populated.
Languages: Bengali is the most spoken language, followed by Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

3. Indigenous Tribes

The islands are globally famous for being home to deeply isolated indigenous tribes, classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Andamanese Tribes: Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and the Sentinelese (an uncontacted tribe living on North Sentinel Island).
Nicobarese Tribes: Shompen and Nicobarese.

Questions and Answers

Can anyone buy land and settle in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?+

While Indian citizens can visit, there are strict restrictions on buying land or settling in tribal reserve areas to protect the indigenous populations and the fragile ecosystem.

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