Gushi is a village which is located in the Kupwara sub-district of Kupwara district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India. According to the Census 2011, the village has a total population of 3,820 persons, comprising 2,162 males and 1,658 females. The village consists of 463 houses, indicating an average household size of 8.25 persons per house. The village has a reasonably balanced gender composition with males comprising 56.6% and females making up 43.4% of the population. This demographic pattern suggests stable community dynamics within the village.
Literacy Statistics of Gushi
Village Gushi has a total literate population of 1,666 persons, with an overall literacy rate of 43.61%, which is significantly below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border areas in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literate population: 1,092 persons
- Female literate population: 574 persons
- Male literacy rate: 50.51%
- Female literacy rate: 34.62%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 15.89 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. While 1,092 males are literate, only 574 females have achieved literacy, indicating significant barriers to women’s education in the village. The overall literacy rate suggests ongoing educational challenges requiring comprehensive interventions and infrastructure development across the community. Educational facilities and awareness programs are essential for improving these statistics and bridging the literacy gap.
Employment and Work Participation in Gushi
The village shows the following employment patterns:
- Total working population: 812 (21.26% of total population)
- Male work participation rate: 30.02%
- Female work participation rate: 9.83%
The overall work participation rate of 21.26% is notably low, and there is a significant gender disparity in workforce participation. While 30.02% of males are engaged in economic activities, only 9.83% of females participate in the workforce—meaning just 163 women out of 1,658 are counted as workers. This low female work participation rate suggests significant cultural, social, or economic barriers preventing women from engaging in formal economic activities.
Age Structure and Child Population
The census data reveals important insights about the village’s age composition with a population aged 0-6 years numbering 916 persons (23.98% of total population). The child population represents nearly one-quarter of the total population, indicating a young demographic profile considerably higher than the national average of 13.59% for the 0-6 age group. This implies substantial and ongoing demand for childcare facilities and primary education infrastructure.
According to the census data, the village has no Scheduled Caste population (0% of total population), reflecting the distinct social structure characteristic of the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley region.
Housing and Living Conditions
With 463 houses accommodating 3,820 people, the village has an average household size of 8.25 persons, significantly higher than the national average of approximately 4.9 persons per household, reflecting multi-generational household arrangements common in rural Kashmir.
| Indicator | Gushi | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,820 | – | – |
| Household Size | 8.25 | 4.9 | +3.35 |
| Sex Ratio | 767 | 943 | -176 |
| Literacy Rate | 43.61% | 74.04% | -30.43% |
| Male Literacy | 50.51% | 82.14% | -31.63% |
| Female Literacy | 34.62% | 65.46% | -30.84% |
| Work Participation | 21.26% | ~39% | -17.74% |
| Male Work Participation | 30.02% | ~56% | -25.98% |
| Female Work Participation | 9.83% | ~26% | -16.17% |