Editing Tamil Nadu (section)

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|align = right
|state = 
|1901|1,92,52,630
|1911|2,09,02,616
|1921|2,16,28,518
|1931|2,34,72,099
|1941|2,62,67,507
|1951|3,01,19,047
|1961|3,36,86,953
|1971|4,11,99,168
|1981|4,84,08,077
|1991|5,58,58,946
|2001|6,24,05,679
|2011|7,21,47,030
|footnote=Source:Census of India<ref>{{cite report|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43366/download/47068/33%20A-2%20Tamil%20Nadu.pdf|title=Decadal variation in population 1901-2011, Tamil Nadu|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=29 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229191706/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43366/download/47068/33%20A-2%20Tamil%20Nadu.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
{{Main|Demographics of Tamil Nadu}}
As per the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]], Tamil Nadu had a population of 72.1 million and is the [[List of states and union territories of India by population|seventh most populous state]] in India.<ref name="pop"/> The population is projected to be 76.8 million in 2023 and to grow to 78 million by 2036.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Population%20Projection%20Report%202011-2036%20-%20upload_compressed_0.pdf|title=Population projection report 2011-36|page=56|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604151511/https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Population%20Projection%20Report%202011-2036%20-%20upload_compressed_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanized states in the country with more than 48.4 per cent of the population living in urban areas.<ref name="DG">{{cite report|url=http://tnenvis.nic.in/Database/Demography_1168.aspx?format=Print|title=Demography of Tamil Nadu|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209234142/https://tnenvis.nic.in/Database/Demography_1168.aspx?format=Print|url-status=live}}</ref> As per the 2011 census, the [[sex ratio]] was 996 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 943.<ref name="SR">{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=98466|title=Sex Ratio, 2011 census|date=21 August 2013|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=14 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314221118/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=98466|url-status=live}}</ref> The sex ratio at birth was recorded as 954 during the fourth [[National Family Health Survey]] (NFHS) in 2015–16 which reduced further to 878 in the fifth NFHS in 2019–21, ranking [[List of states and union territories of India by sex ratio|third worst]] amongst states.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1782601|title=Fifth National Family Health Survey-Update on Child Sex Ratio|publisher=[[Government of India]]|date=17 December 2021|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922222826/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1782601|url-status=live}}</ref> As per the 2011 census, [[List of Indian states and union territories by literacy rate|Literacy rate]] was 80.1%, higher than the national average of 73%.<ref name="LR">{{cite report|url=https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=22070|title=State wise literacy rate|publisher=[[Reserve Bank of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224183329/https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=22070|url-status=live}}</ref> The literacy rate was estimated to be 82.9% as per the 2017 [[National Statistical Commission]] (NSC) survey.<ref name="NSC">{{cite report|title=Household Social Consumption on Education in India|url=http://mospi.nic.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/Report_585_75th_round_Education_final_1507_0.pdf|year=2018|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=7 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107060612/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_wb.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2011}}, there were about 23.17 million households with 7.42 million children under the age of six.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.census.tn.nic.in/pca_2011/PCA_datahighlights-TN.pdf|title=Census highlights, 2011|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 May 2023}}</ref> A total of 14.4 million (20%) belonged to [[Scheduled Castes]] (SC) and 0.8 million (1.1%) to [[Scheduled tribes]] (ST).<ref>{{cite report|url=https://census.tn.nic.in/PCA_data_highlights/chapter2_scst_population.pdf|title=SC/ST population in Tamil Nadu 2011|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 May 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224183332/https://census.tn.nic.in/PCA_data_highlights/chapter2_scst_population.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{As of|2017}}, the state had the [[Indian states ranking by fertility rate|lowest]] [[Total fertility rate|fertility rate]] in India with 1.6 children born for each woman, lower than required for sustaining the population.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Population%20Projection%20Report%202011-2036%20-%20upload_compressed_0.pdf|title=Population projection report 2011-36|page=25|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604151511/https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Population%20Projection%20Report%202011-2036%20-%20upload_compressed_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2021}}, the [[Human Development Index]] (HDI) for Tamil Nadu was 0.686, higher than that of India (0.633) but [[List of Indian states and union territories by Human Development Index|ranked]] medium.<ref name="HDI">{{cite report|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/IND/?levels=1+4&interpolation=0&extrapolation=0|publisher=Global Data Lab|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208071728/https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/IND/?levels=1+4&interpolation=0&extrapolation=0|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, the [[life expectancy]] at birth was 74 years, one of the [[List of Indian states by life expectancy at birth|highest]] amongst Indian states.<ref name="LE">{{cite report|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/maps/lifexp/2019/|title=Life expectancy 2019|publisher=Global Data Lab|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=3 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103195910/https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/maps/lifexp/2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, 2.2% of the people live below the [[poverty line]] as per the [[Multidimensional Poverty Index]], one of the lowest rates amongst Indian states.<ref name="PL">{{cite report|url=https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-11/National_MPI_India-11242021.pdf|page=35|title=Multidimensional Poverty Index|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 May 2023|archive-date=13 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513171951/https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-11/National_MPI_India-11242021.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cities and towns ===
{{Main|List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population}}
{{Further|List of towns in Tamil Nadu by population}}
The capital of Chennai is the [[List of urban agglomerations in Tamil Nadu|most populous]] urban agglomeration in the state with more than 8.6 million residents, followed by Coimbatore, Madurai, [[Tiruchirappalli]] and [[Tiruppur]], respectively.<ref name="UA">{{cite report|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|title=Urban Agglomerations and Cities having population 1 lakh and above|work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|publisher=[[Government of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310224309/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|access-date=10 August 2014|archive-date=10 March 2020}}</ref>
{{Largest cities
|nonav = y
|country = Tamil Nadu
|stat_ref = (2011)<ref name="UA"/>
|list_by_pop = List of cities in Tamil Nadu
|div_name = District
|div_link = List of districts in Tamil Nadu{{!}}District

|city_1 = Chennai
|div_1 = Chennai district{{!}}Chennai
|pop_1 = 8,696,010
|img_1 = Chennai skyline.JPG

|city_2 = Coimbatore
|div_2 = Coimbatore district{{!}}Coimbatore
|pop_2 = 2,151,466
|img_2 = CHIL_SEZ.jpg

|city_3 = Madurai
|div_3 = Madurai district{{!}}Madurai
|pop_3 = 1,462,420
|img_3 = Madurai, India.jpg

|city_4 = Tiruchirappalli
|div_4 = Tiruchirappalli district{{!}}Tiruchirappalli
|pop_4 = 1,021,717
|img_4 = Rock Fort Temple.jpg

|city_5 = Tiruppur
|div_5 = Tiruppur district{{!}}Tiruppur
|pop_5 = 962,982

|city_6 = Salem, Tamil Nadu{{!}}Salem
|div_6 = Salem district{{!}}Salem
|pop_6 = 919,150

|city_7 = Erode
|div_7 = Erode district{{!}}Erode
|pop_7 = 521,776

|city_8 = Vellore
|div_8 = Vellore district{{!}}Vellore
|pop_8 = 504,079

|city_9 = Tirunelveli
|div_9 = Tirunelveli district{{!}}Tirunelveli
|pop_9 = 498,984

|city_10 = Thoothukudi
|div_10 = Thoothukudi district{{!}}Thoothukudi
|pop_10 = 410,760
}}

=== Religion and ethnicity ===
{{bar box
|float = right
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|title = Religion in Tamil Nadu (2011)<ref name="census2011">{{cite report|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Tamil Nadu|Hinduism]]|darkorange|87.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Tamil Nadu|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|6.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Tamil Muslim|Islam]]|green|5.86}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.4}}
}}
{{Main|Religion in Tamil Nadu}}
The state is home to a diverse population of ethno-religious communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-magic-of-melting-pot-called-chennai/article2728177.ece|title=The magic of melting pot called Chennai|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=19 December 2011|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111201746/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-magic-of-melting-pot-called-chennai/article2728177.ece|archive-date=11 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-different-mirror/article14588903.ece|date=25 August 2016|title=A different mirror|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044307/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-different-mirror/article14588903.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the 2011 census, [[Hinduism in Tamil Nadu|Hinduism]] is followed by 87.6% of the population. [[Christianity in Tamil Nadu|Christians]] form the largest [[religious minority]] in the state with 6.1% of the population; [[Tamil Muslim|Muslims]] form 5.9% of the population.<ref name="RL">{{cite report|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11361/download/14474/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224183408/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11361/download/14474/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Tamil people|Tamils]] form a majority of the population with minorities including [[Telugu people|Telugus]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2014/mar/18/telugu-speaking-people-in-tn-are-not-aliens-587462.html|title='Telugu Speaking People in TN are Not Aliens'|date=18 March 2014|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044308/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2014/mar/18/Telugu-Speaking-People-in-TN-are-Not-Aliens-587462.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Marwaris]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/food/food-chennai/2023/nov/06/from-rajasthan-with-love-54864.html|title=From Rajasthan with love|date=6 November 2023|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044310/https://www.indulgexpress.com/food/food-chennai/2023/nov/06/from-rajasthan-with-love-54864.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/food/food-chennai/2023/oct/20/go-gujarati-this-navratri-54368.html|title=Go Gujrati this navratri|date=20 October 2023|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044309/https://www.indulgexpress.com/food/food-chennai/2023/oct/20/go-gujarati-this-navratri-54368.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Parsi]]s,<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2018%20No%2012/parsis_of_madras.html|title=The Parsis of Madras|journal=Madras Musings|date=15 October 2008|volume=XVIII|issue=12|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619183804/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2018%20No%2012/parsis_of_madras.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/sindhis-to-usher-in-new-year-with-fanfare/articleshow/12387158.cms|title=Sindhis to usher in new year with fanfare|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=24 March 2012|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002201726/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Sindhis-to-usher-in-new-year-with-fanfare/articleshow/12387158.cms|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> [[Odia people|Odias]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/why-oriyas-find-chennai-warm-and-hospitable/articleshow/13104180.cms|title=Why Oriyas find Chennai warm and hospitable|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=12 May 2012|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003065711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Why-Oriyas-find-Chennai-warm-and-hospitable/articleshow/13104180.cms|archive-date=3 October 2016}}</ref> [[Kannadigas]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chennais-kannadigas-not-complaining/articleshow/2926980.cms|title=Chennai's Kannadigas not complaining|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=5 April 2008|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609022307/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chennais-Kannadigas-not-complaining/articleshow/2926980.cms|archive-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> [[Anglo-Indians]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2012/the-anglo-indians-of-madras.html|title=The Anglo-Indians of Chennai|journal=Madras Musings|volume=XX|issue=12|date=15 October 2010|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309162918/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2012/the-anglo-indians-of-madras.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bengali people|Bengalis]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a-slice-of-bengal-in-chennai/articleshow/16902833.cms|title=A slice of Bengal in Chennai|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=22 October 2012|access-date=29 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407181944/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a-slice-of-bengal-in-chennai/articleshow/16902833.cms|archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]],<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2019%20No%2011/the-punjabis-of-chennai.html|first=Madhu|last=B.R.|title=The Punjabis of Chennai|journal=Madras Musings|volume=XX|issue=12|date=16 September 2009|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217003501/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2019%20No%2011/the-punjabis-of-chennai.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Malayalees]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mediaindia.eu/eyetalk/chennai-malayalee-club-leads-onam-2023-celebrations/|title=Chennai Malayalee Club leads Onam 2023 celebrations|newspaper=Media India|date=1 September 2023|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=28 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128145731/https://mediaindia.eu/eyetalk/chennai-malayalee-club-leads-onam-2023-celebrations/|url-status=live}}</ref> The state also has a significant [[expatriate]] population.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/240817/when-madras-welcomed-them.html|title=When Madras welcomed them|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=27 August 2007|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044307/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/240817/when-madras-welcomed-them.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2022/oct/24/deepavalithe-expat-edition-2511219.html|title=Deepavali, the expat edition|date=24 October 2023|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044307/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2022/oct/24/deepavalithe-expat-edition-2511219.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2011}}, the state had 3.49 million immigrants.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=[[Government of India]]|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1941077|title=Migration of Labour in the Country|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328173148/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1941077|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|radius=75
|caption = Distribution of languages in Tamil Nadu (2011)<ref name="LRT"/>
|label1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
|color1 = orange
|value1 = 88.35
|label2 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|color2 = Blue
|value2 = 5.87
|label3 = [[Kannada]]
|color3 = deeppink
|value3 = 1.78
|label4 = [[Urdu]]
|color4 = Green
|value4 = 1.75
|label5 = [[Malayalam]]
|color5 = violet
|value5 = 1.01
|other-label = Others
|other = 1.24
|other-color = turquoise
}}
Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu, while [[English language|English]] serves as the additional official language.<ref name="Lang"/> Tamil is one of the oldest languages and was the first to be recognized as a [[classical language of India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tamil language|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tamil-language|publisher=[[Britannica]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=7 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007012008/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tamil-language|url-status=live}}</ref> As per the 2011 census, Tamil is spoken as the first language by 88.4% of the state's population, followed by [[Telugu language|Telugu]] (5.87%), [[Kannada language|Kannada]] (1.78%), [[Urdu]] (1.75%), [[Malayalam]] (1.01%) and other languages (1.24%)<ref name="LRT">{{cite report|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10222|title=Census India Catalog|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208151656/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10222|url-status=live}}</ref> Various [[Variety (linguistics)|varieties]] of Tamil are spoken across regions such as [[Madras Bashai]] in northern Tamil Nadu, [[Kongu Tamil]] in [[Kongu Nadu|Western Tamil Nadu]], [[Madurai Tamil]] around Madurai and [[Nellai Tamil]] in South-eastern Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Smirnitskaya|first1=Anna|title=Diglossia and Tamil varieties in Chennai|journal=Acta Linguistica Petropolitana|date=March 2019|issue=3|pages=318–334|doi=10.30842/alp2306573714317|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331772782|access-date=4 November 2022|doi-access=free|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328173206/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331772782_Diglossia_and_Tamil_varieties_in_Chennai|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.inkl.com/news/several-dialects-of-tamil-and-10-mother-tongues-of-the-dravidian-family|title=Several dialects of Tamil|date=31 October 2023|work=Inkl|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224181431/https://www.inkl.com/news/several-dialects-of-tamil-and-10-mother-tongues-of-the-dravidian-family|url-status=live}}</ref> It is part of the [[Dravidian languages]] and preserves many features of [[Proto-Dravidian]], though modern-day spoken Tamil in Tamil Nadu freely uses [[loanword]]s from other languages such as [[Sanskrit]] and English.<ref>{{cite book|last=Southworth|first=Franklin C.|title=Linguistic archaeology of South Asia|publisher=Routledge|year=2005|isbn=978-0-415-33323-8|pages=129–132}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Krishnamurti|first=Bhadriraju|title=The Dravidian Languages|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|series = Cambridge Language Surveys|year=2003|isbn=978-0-521-77111-5|page=480}}</ref> [[Korean language|Korean]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/k-and-the-city-why-are-more-and-more-chennaiites-learning-korean/article25256267.ece|title=K and the city: Why are more and more Chennaiites learning Korean?|first=Sweta|last=Akundi|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=18 October 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128030545/https://www.thehindu.com/society/k-and-the-city-why-are-more-and-more-chennaiites-learning-korean/article25256267.ece|archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> [[Japanese Language|Japanese]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/konnichiwa/article22157129.ece1|title=Konnichiwa!|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 September 2017|access-date=25 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020210354/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/konnichiwa/article22157129.ece1|archive-date=20 October 2020}}</ref> [[French language|French]],<ref name="FP">{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/feb/21/how-many-tongues-can-you-speak-1776354.html|title=How many tongues can you speak?|website=The New Indian Express|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107191558/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/feb/21/how-many-tongues-can-you-speak-1776354.html|archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> [[Mandarin Chinese]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/how-mandarin-has-become-crucial-in-chennai/article25321543.ece|title=How Mandarin has become crucial in Chennai|first=Sweta|last=Akundi|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 October 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203115726/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/how-mandarin-has-become-crucial-in-chennai/article25321543.ece|archive-date=3 December 2020}}</ref> [[German language|German]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/guten-morgen-chennaiites-signing-up-for-german-lessons-on-the-rise/articleshow/64152188.cms|title=Guten Morgen! Chennaiites signing up for German lessons on the rise|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129115236/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/guten-morgen-chennaiites-signing-up-for-german-lessons-on-the-rise/articleshow/64152188.cms|archive-date=29 November 2020}}</ref> and [[Spanish Language|Spanish]] are spoken by foreign expatriates in the state.<ref name="FP"/>

===LGBT rights===
{{Main article|LGBT rights in Tamil Nadu}}
The [[LGBT]] rights in Tamil Nadu are among the most progressive in [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/lgbt-community-in-tamil-nadu-seeks-state-governments-support/|title=LGBT community in Tamil Nadu seeks state government's support|date=15 December 2013|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827081359/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/lgbt-community-in-tamil-nadu-seeks-state-governments-support/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/lgbt-community-in-city-sees-sign-of-hope/article8185883.ece|title=LGBT community in city sees sign of hope|first1=Zubeda|last1=Hamid|date=3 February 2016|access-date=3 July 2021|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222054046/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/lgbt-community-in-city-sees-sign-of-hope/article8185883.ece|url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Tamil Nadu set up the Transgender welfare board and was the first to introduce a transgender welfare policy, wherein transgender people can avail free [[sex reassignment surgery]] in government hospitals.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.undp.org/india/publications/case-tamil-nadu-transgender-welfare-board-insights-developing-practical-models-social-protection-programmes-transgender-people|title=The Case of Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Board: Insights for Developing Practical Models of Social Protection Programmes for Transgender People in India|date=27 May 2013|publisher=[[United Nations]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224181431/https://www.undp.org/india/publications/case-tamil-nadu-transgender-welfare-board-insights-developing-practical-models-social-protection-programmes-transgender-people|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chennai Rainbow Pride]] has been held in Chennai annually since 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Menon|first1=Priya|title=A decade of Pride in Chennai|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/a-decade-of-pride-in-chennai/articleshow/64421312.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=3 July 2021|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=9 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809145605/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/a-decade-of-pride-in-chennai/articleshow/64421312.cms|url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to ban conversion therapy and [[Intersex medical interventions|forced sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants]], following the directions of the Madras High&nbsp;Court.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/madras-hc-conversion-therapy-pride-month-b1861601.html%3famp|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/madras-hc-conversion-therapy-pride-month-b1861601.html%3famp|archive-date=26 May 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Indian state set to be the first to ban conversion therapy of LGBT+ individuals|first=Maroosha|last=Muzaffar|access-date=3 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theprint.in/features/lgbtq-india-asia-tamil-nadu-ban-sex-selective-surgeries-for-infants/284982/|title=1st in India & Asia, and 2nd globally, Tamil Nadu bans sex-selective surgeries for infants|newspaper=The Print|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607025339/https://theprint.in/features/lgbtq-india-asia-tamil-nadu-ban-sex-selective-surgeries-for-infants/284982/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theswaddle.com/tn-first-state-to-ban-sex-reassignment-surgery-on-intersex-babies/|title=Tamil Nadu Becomes First State to Ban So‑Called Corrective Surgery on Intersex Babies|work=The Swaddle|date=30 August 2019|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803061033/https://theswaddle.com/tn-first-state-to-ban-sex-reassignment-surgery-on-intersex-babies/|url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, the Madras High Court ruled that the term "bride" under the [[Hindu Marriage Act, 1955]] includes trans-women, thereby legalizing marriage between a man and a transgender woman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theleaflet.in/transgenders-have-marriage-rights-under-the-indian-constitution-says-madras-high-court/|title=Transgenders have marriage rights says Madras High Court|newspaper=leaflet|date=23 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224181432/https://theleaflet.in/transgenders-have-marriage-rights-under-the-indian-constitution-says-madras-high-court/|url-status=live}}</ref>