With a population of 6.1 Cr, the state of Karnataka is the ninth largest state in India in terms of population. 38.67% of the population of the state, higher than the national average of 31.16%, is living in urbanised settlements.

With a Labour Force Participation Rate of 62.9% (PLFS 2022-23) for 15-59 years of age and a Worker Population Ratio of 61.2%, Karnataka stands in 6th position in achieving the highest employability state as per India Skills Report 2023.

In comparison to the national average of 943, the state has a male-female ratio of 973 females per 1000 males, and the female work participation ratio is 41.9%, giving the state a robust demographic advantage.

Karnataka has made significant advancements in healthcare infrastructure across both rural and urban areas. As of the latest data, the state operates a comprehensive network of medical facilities, including 16 district hospitals, 207 Community Health Centres (CHCs), 2,259 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 9,870 Sub-Health Centres (SHCs), and 365 Urban Health Centres, ensuring widespread access to healthcare services. ​

The state's concerted efforts in maternal and child welfare have contributed to a decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), which decreased from 1.7 in 2019 to 1.6 in 2020, reflecting improved reproductive health services. ​

Pioneering digital healthcare initiatives, Karnataka has implemented the e-hospital system, an electronic Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) designed to enhance efficiency in government hospitals. Additionally, the state launched the Arogya Karnataka scheme, aiming to provide Universal Health Coverage

With the literacy rate of the state being 75.36% as per the 2011 Census, the educational infrastructure has undergone significant progress.

The state has 71,506 primary b secondary schools imparting education to over 1 Cr students. The Gross Enrolment Ratio and Net Enrolment Ratio for the primary level in 2022-23 were recorded at 103.73 and 99.16 respectively. In Karnataka, 740 AICTE-approved institutions in the academic year 2023-24 offer various technical courses like Architect, Engineering, Management among others.

The state is home to world-class research and educational institutions like IISc Bangalore, renowned for its research excellence globally, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, National Law University, etc., offering various engineering, research, and doctoral courses to students from across the globe. 

Home to India’s Silicon Valley, Karnataka continues to drive the country’s technological advancement with Bengaluru ranking as the fourth-largest tech cluster globally. The state tops NITI Aayog’s Innovation Index and is home to over 400 global R&D centres, including Google’s first AI/ML-focused engineering hub and Intel’s largest design centre outside the US. Karnataka also leads in semiconductor design, hosting 85+ chip design firms like Qualcomm, Nvidia, and Intel.

It has emerged as a frontrunner in EV innovation with 45+ startups, including India’s first indigenously built electric car, Reva, and supports emerging tech through platforms like the IoT Open Lab under the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission.

In the biotechnology sector, Karnataka has solidified its leadership position. In 2023, the state witnessed the establishment of 202 new biotech startups, bringing the total to over 1,000 biotech enterprises. This growth represents a 113% increase from 2021, underscoring the state's robust innovation ecosystem.

The state's pharmaceutical industry plays a pivotal role in the national economy, with a substantial portion of its output being exported globally. India's pharmaceutical exports reached $27.9 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a 9.67% year-on-year increase, with Karnataka significantly contributing to this growth.

Karnataka boasts robust infrastructure with over 8,000 km of national highways, one major port (Mangalore) and nine minor ports supporting trade. It is among few Indian state to be part of two major industrial corridors—Chennai-Bengaluru and Bengaluru-Mumbai—enhancing interstate commerce. The state has two international and six domestic airports, with Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru being the third-largest in India. Urban mobility is driven by the expanding Namma Metro, ensuring seamless connectivity across Bengaluru.

Karnataka is a national leader in renewable energy, with a total installed renewable capacity of approximately 14.6 GW as of September 2023—led by 9.3 GW of solar and 5.3 GW of wind power—making it one of India's top states in clean energy generation. The state has set an ambitious target to add 19.2 GW more by 2030. Karnataka has also launched the SDG Vision 2030, outlining strategies through 600+ indicators to drive sustainable development. It was among the first states to establish an SDG Coordination Centre (SDGCC) in partnership with UNDP and has actively engaged in corporate social responsibility and youth participation to advance the SDG agenda. These efforts position Karnataka as a frontrunner in aligning infrastructure, policy, and community with sustainability goals.