Based on the most recent official data (Census 2011), the Gujarati-speaking population in Mumbai constitutes approximately 11.5% of the city’s total population.
Population Distribution
The Gujarati community is distributed across both the “Island City” and the “Suburban” districts, with a significantly higher raw number of speakers residing in the suburbs.
- Mumbai Suburban District: ~1.08 million speakers (e.g., areas like Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Borivali, Vile Parle).
- Mumbai City District: ~350,000 speakers (e.g., areas like Bhuleshwar, Kalbadevi).
Comparison with Other Languages
For context, here is how Gujarati compares to the other dominant languages in the Mumbai region (based on 2011 estimates):
- Marathi: ~35–42% (Official state language)
- Hindi: ~30% (Lingua franca for trade/daily interaction)
- Urdu: ~12–13%
- Gujarati: ~11.5%
Note on Trends: Historical data indicates that the percentage of Gujarati speakers in Mumbai has seen a gradual decline over the decades (down from ~19–20% in older censuses) as the city’s population growth has been driven more by migration from other Hindi-speaking states. However, the community remains economically and culturally influential.
Mumbai :
Successful Mumbai based Gujarati Jains are the most Elite and sophisticated Jains. Most of Bombay’s development from the start in 1850 A.D, came through them, including the foundation of Bombay Stock Exchange. Elite Mumbai based Gujarati Jains are the best of Jains, and the truest of Jains by Karma. Mumbai to Ahmedabad is the real Jain cultural belt. Gujarati Jains on this belt reflect truer Jain values of compassion, kindness and general mindset of Jains. Relatively, Gujarati Jains have also protected Jain values better than other Jains, and outside of India. Mumbai to Ahmedabad, is also the most financialized and industrialized region in South Asia. Elite Gujarati Hindus are more Jain by their Karma, than even the Jain in other locations who are more unrooted relatively. Gujarati Muslims based in Karachi, Pakistan are the wealthiest Pakistanis. Muslims, Parsis, All caste Hindus have benefitted from the cultural influence of Jains on Gujarat. Gujarati people (outside the rotten apples (sociopaths/evil) and liberal or Hindu nationalist influenced unrooted types, reflect Jain traits – compassionate, helpful nature, kind, peaceful, non – violent, polite, community uplifting and being entrepreneurial; this is even true for Marwari Hindus but to a lesser extent. Some parts of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) are amongst the most civilized regions in South Asia, and then comes Ahmedabad, and then the stretch between Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Mumbai is the city with maximum billionaires in South Asia. The historical cultural presence and influence of Jains in Sindh and with Sindh bordering Gujarat – Marwar, gives the strong entrepreneurial identity to Indian Sindhi Hindus, who also have significant billionaires count.
The Gujarati speaking population percentage of Bombay/Mumbai was 29 % in 1891 A.D
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