KERAN 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 3,770 persons, comprising 2,556 males and 1,214 females. The village consists of 400 houses, indicating an average household size of 9.43 persons per house. This relatively large household size reflects the traditional joint family structure commonly found in rural Kashmir, where multiple generations often live together under one roof.
Gender Demographics in Keran
KERAN exhibits a significantly skewed gender composition with males comprising 67.8% of the population and females making up 32.2%. The village has a sex ratio of 475 females per 1,000 males, which is considerably lower than the national average of 943 females per 1,000 males (Census 2011) and also below Jammu & Kashmir’s state average of 889.
This low sex ratio is a matter of concern and could be attributed to several factors including possible male-dominated migration patterns, underreporting of female births, or the strategic border location of Kupwara district which may influence demographic patterns. The disparity suggests potential gender imbalances that warrant attention from policymakers and social development programs.
Literacy Statistics
Village KERAN has an overall literacy rate of 68.44%, which is below the national average of 74.04% but reflects the educational challenges faced by many rural and border areas:
- Male literacy rate: 77.58%
- Female literacy rate: 49.18%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 28.4 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. Less than half of the female population is literate, indicating significant barriers to women’s education in the village. This gap is wider than the national gender literacy gap of approximately 16 percentage points, suggesting that female education requires urgent attention and intervention.
Age Structure and Child Population
The census data reveals important insights about the village’s age composition:
- Population aged 0-6 years: 750 (19.89% of total population)
The child population represents nearly one-fifth of the total population, indicating a young demographic profile with a healthy proportion of children. This percentage is slightly higher than the national average of 13.59% for the 0-6 age group, suggesting relatively higher fertility rates and a growing population base. However, this also implies increased demand for childcare, primary education, and health services in the coming years.
Employment and Work Participation in Keran
Village KERAN shows the following employment patterns:
- Total working population: 1,154 (30.61% of total population)
- Male work participation rate: 43.39%
- Female work participation rate: 3.71%
The overall work participation rate of 30.61% is close to the national average, but there is an extreme gender disparity in workforce participation. While 43.39% of males are engaged in economic activities, only 3.71% of females participate in the workforce—meaning just 45 women out of 1,214 are counted as workers.
This exceptionally low female work participation rate (3.71%) is significantly below the national female work participation rate of approximately 25-26%. This could be due to several factors:
- Cultural norms that discourage women from working outside the home
- Lack of employment opportunities suitable for women in the region
- Women’s engagement in unpaid household work and agricultural activities that may not be captured as “work” in census data
- Limited mobility and access to workplaces in the border district
- Traditional gender roles prevalent in rural Kashmir
Social Composition
According to the census data:
- Scheduled Caste population: 0 (0% of total population)
The complete absence of Scheduled Caste population in KERAN is notable. This reflects the distinct social structure of Jammu & Kashmir, where the demographic composition differs significantly from mainland India. The state has a different caste structure, and many areas have negligible or no Scheduled Caste populations, which is characteristic of the Muslim-majority regions of Kashmir valley.
Housing and Living Conditions
With 400 houses accommodating 3,770 people, KERAN has an average household size of 9.43 persons, which is significantly higher than the national average of approximately 4.9 persons per household. This large household size indicates:
- Joint family systems: Multiple generations living together, sharing resources and responsibilities
- Extended families: Brothers and their families often sharing the same household
- Economic factors: Housing constraints or economic benefits of shared living
- Cultural traditions: Strong family bonds and traditional living arrangements common in Kashmir
While joint families can provide social support and care for the elderly and children, such large households may also face challenges related to overcrowding, privacy, sanitation, and resource allocation.
Comparative Analysis
To better understand KERAN’s demographic position:
| Indicator | KERAN | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex Ratio | 475 | 943 | -468 |
| Literacy Rate | 68.44% | 74.04% | -5.6% |
| Female Literacy | 49.18% | 65.46% | -16.28% |
| Work Participation | 30.61% | ~39% | -8.4% |
| Female Work Participation | 3.71% | ~26% | -22.3% |
| Household Size | 9.43 | 4.9 | +4.53 |