Meelyal 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 3,523 persons, comprising 1,778 males and 1,745 females. Meelyal consists of 436 houses, indicating an average household size of 8.08 persons per house. The village has a well-balanced gender composition with males comprising 50.5% and females making up 49.5% of the population. This balanced demographic pattern suggests stable community dynamics within the village.
Literacy Rate of Meelyal
Meelyal has a total literate population of 1,579 persons, with an overall literacy rate of 44.82%, which is significantly below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border areas in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literate population: 914 persons
- Female literate population: 665 persons
- Male literacy rate: 51.41%
- Female literacy rate: 38.11%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 13.30 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. While 914 males are literate, only 665 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. Focused initiatives to improve educational infrastructure and promote girls’ education are essential for addressing these disparities.
Working Population in Meelyal
The village shows the following employment patterns:
- Total working population: 1,024 (29.07% of total population)
- Male work participation rate: 40.89%
- Female work participation rate: 17.02%
The overall work participation rate of 29.07% is below national standards, but there is a notable gender disparity in workforce participation. While 40.89% of males are engaged in economic activities, 17.02% of females participate in the workforce—meaning 297 women out of 1,745 are counted as workers. Although the female work participation rate is higher compared to many villages in the region, it still reflects economic and social barriers that limit women’s engagement in formal employment.
Age Structure and Composition
The census data reveals important insights about the village’s age composition with a population aged 0-6 years numbering 1,028 persons (29.18% of total population). The child population represents nearly three-tenths 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, Meelyal has no Scheduled Caste population (0% of total population), reflecting the distinct social structure characteristic of the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley region.
| Indicator | Meelyal Stats | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,523 | – | – |
| Household Size | 8.08 | 4.9 | +3.18 |
| Sex Ratio | 982 | 943 | +39 |
| Literacy Rate | 44.82% | 74.04% | -29.22% |
| Male Literacy | 51.41% | 82.14% | -30.73% |
| Female Literacy | 38.11% | 65.46% | -27.35% |
| Work Participation | 29.07% | ~39% | -9.93% |
| Male Work Participation | 40.89% | ~56% | -15.11% |
| Female Work Participation | 17.02% | ~26% | -8.98% |