As per the latest estimates from the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2024–25 and population projections, the State population is approximately 12.9–13.0 crore, accounting for around 9% of the total population of India. Maharashtra is among the top three most populous States in the country, after Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The State records a female-male ratio close to 930, indicating a marginal improvement but still reflecting gender imbalance. The level of urbanisation has increased to nearly 49%, highlighting rapid urban growth. With a worker population ratio (WPR) estimated at around 45% based on recent surveys, Maharashtra continues to have a strong demographic advantage, although the proportion of young population is gradually declining due to falling fertility rates and an ageing trend.

According to recent labour force surveys (PLFS), the total workforce has increased in absolute terms, with a noticeable rise in female participation. While the Census 2011 reported 4.94 crore total workers (including 4.38 crore main workers and 0.57 crore marginal workers), recent data indicates a shift from the classification of main and marginal workers to broader labour force indicators. The female share in the workforce has shown gradual improvement in recent years.

The Work Participation Rate (WPR) for India has improved to around 42–43% in recent years, whereas for Maharashtra it is estimated to be slightly higher at about 45%, reflecting better employment engagement compared to the national average.

As per the Rural Health Statistics (2021–22) published in the Annual Report 2024–25 of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and official data of the Government of Maharashtra, the State provides comprehensive healthcare services through an extensive network of public health institutions. Maharashtra has 19 district hospitals and over 160 sub-district hospitals, along with 10,673 sub-centres, 2,490 primary health centres (PHCs), and 401 community health centres (CHCs), forming the backbone of rural and primary healthcare delivery. In addition, more than 35 Government medical colleges with attached hospitals are functioning in the State, strengthening tertiary healthcare services.

To strengthen medical facilities, the State has integrated Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) into mainstream healthcare delivery. As per official government records, Maharashtra has a large pool of registered medical practitioners across allopathic and AYUSH systems, and the doctor-to-population ratio has improved over time, although disparities persist in rural and tribal regions.

In addition, the National Urban Health Mission, a component of the National Health Mission, is operational across urban areas of Maharashtra, covering cities with populations above 50,000, and aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to the urban poor, particularly slum dwellers and vulnerable groups through Urban Primary Health Centres and outreach services.

Maharashtra, with a literacy rate of 82.3% (as per Census 2011, the latest officially accepted figure), has made significant progress in education and skill development. The State has played a pioneering role in shaping modern education in India. As per the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2024–25, the State has 1,04,499 primary schools and 28,986 secondary and higher secondary schools, catering to large-scale enrolment across rural and urban areas.

According to the All India Survey on Higher Education 2022–23 (latest official release), Maharashtra has 78 universities, 5,725 colleges, and 2,182 stand-alone institutions, with a total enrolment of over 46.2 lakh students, making it one of the largest higher education systems in the country.

Further, as per recent Government education data (UDISE+ 2024–25 trends), the overall number of schools in Maharashtra is about 1.08 lakh, serving more than 2 crore students, indicating continued expansion and consolidation of school education infrastructure in the State.

To strengthen employment opportunities and promote self-reliance, the State has established 44 Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Guidance Centres, including 36 district-level centres and 8 centres for tribal candidates, as per Government of Maharashtra data.

The Government also implements employment promotion programmes such as on-the-job training for educated unemployed youth, apprenticeship training to provide skilled manpower to industries, and entrepreneurship development programmes to promote self-employment. These initiatives are aligned with national programmes like the Skill India Mission and aim to enhance employability and skill development among the youth.

Maharashtra is home to premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Symbiosis International University, which offer advanced research and technical education. The State continues to be one of the leading innovation hubs of India, supported by strong academic–industry linkages and a vibrant startup ecosystem.

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, City and Industrial Development Corporation, and Software Technology Parks of India have developed 37 Government-promoted IT parks in the State with an investment of about ₹18,595 crore, generating around 2.7 lakh employment as per the Economic Survey 2025–26. Further, as per the same Government data, the number of approved private IT parks has increased to 669 in Maharashtra, with a major concentration in Pune, Mumbai City & Suburban, and Thane districts.

In addition, official data from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation indicates that the number of public IT parks developed in the State has expanded further to about 49 IT parks, with an estimated investment of around ₹22,000 crore and employment generation of approximately 3.1 lakh persons, reflecting continued expansion of IT infrastructure in Maharashtra.

The State Government has implemented IT/ITES and Electronics policies to develop a competitive ecosystem for information technology, electronics manufacturing, data centres, and emerging sectors such as semiconductors. Maharashtra contributes around 20–21% of India’s total software exports through STPI units, ranking among the leading States in the country in IT exports and services.

For strengthening research and innovation, Maharashtra has established multiple centres for technology development and technology transfer in State universities with support from Government of India initiatives. These centres aim to enhance research capacity, promote innovation, and facilitate commercialisation and industry collaboration, reinforcing the State’s position as a leading knowledge and technology hub.

Maharashtra is one of India’s most connected states, with 2 major ports and about 53 minor ports, as per official Government data. The state also has 4 international airports, 7 domestic airports, 15 airstrips, and 4 upcoming airports, along with a railway network of about 6,200+ km—accounting for nearly 9% of India’s total rail network. Complementing this is one of the largest road networks in the country, exceeding 6.7 lakh km, connecting major industrial and commercial centres such as Mumbai, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), spanning about 1,504 km across six states, serves as a major driver of industrial growth in Maharashtra. A key project within this corridor is the Aurangabad Industrial City (Shendra–Bidkin Industrial Area), being developed over 10,000 acres as a greenfield smart industrial city with plug-and-play infrastructure. As per the latest Government updates (2024–25), the project has attracted cumulative investment proposals exceeding ₹60,000 crore.

Industrial infrastructure in the state is further strengthened by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), which has developed 289–292 industrial areas across more than 1.0 lakh hectares. MIDC provides essential infrastructure such as water supply, roads, and power, and has established sector-specific parks for industries including food processing, textiles, IT, and biotechnology. The corporation continues to expand its network with new industrial areas under development to support both industrial growth and regional development.

Overall, Maharashtra has one of India’s most advanced infrastructure ecosystems, supported by a 3.45 lakh km road network, the fully operational Samruddhi Expressway (2025), the operational Navi Mumbai International Airport (2025), expansion of JNPT and Vadhvan Port connectivity, ongoing metro expansions (including Mumbai Metro Line 3), and the creation of Maha InvIT for infrastructure financing.

Maharashtra has a significant renewable energy potential estimated at about 1,68,000+ MW, as per Government of India assessments. As per the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2024–25 and data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the State’s installed renewable energy capacity has increased to about 14,000+ MW (as of 2025), including solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro power, making it one of the leading States in renewable energy development.

The Government of Maharashtra has entered into strategic agreements with public sector entities such as NTPC Green Energy Limited to promote green hydrogen and renewable energy projects in the State. As per official announcements, these projects are expected to attract investments of about ₹80,000 crore over the coming years, supporting India’s transition towards a green energy economy.

The Government has announced the Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024 with the objective of developing Maharashtra as a preferred, sustainable, and globally competitive tourist destination by promoting infrastructure development, private investment, and employment generation in the tourism sector.

Similarly, the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023–2028 is being implemented to promote investment, technological upgradation, and value chain development in the textile sector, thereby strengthening Maharashtra’s position as one of the leading textile manufacturing States in India.