India is home to the largest population of Tamilians worldwide.
The Tamil people, an ethnic group primarily speaking the Tamil language, are concentrated predominantly in the southern part of India and northeastern Sri Lanka. However, significant diaspora communities exist globally. Analysis of population data reveals that India has an overwhelming majority of the global Tamil population, far surpassing other nations with sizable Tamil communities.
Global Distribution of Tamil Population
While Tamilians are found in many countries due to historical migrations and recent diaspora, their numbers are most substantial in their traditional homeland. The following table highlights countries with major Tamil populations based on recent available data:
| Country | Tamil Population | Year (Data Source) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 69,810,141 | 2011 census |
| Sri Lanka | 3,135,770 | 2012 census |
| Malaysia | 2,327,000 | 2020 estimates |
| Myanmar | 1,000,000 | 2018 estimates |
Source: Tamil population by nation - Wikipedia
As evident from the data, India's Tamil population of nearly 70 million dwarfs the numbers in other countries, making it the undeniable center of the Tamil community. This includes both the native Tamil speakers predominantly residing in the state of Tamil Nadu, as well as significant numbers in other Indian states.
