Kigam 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 6,179 persons, comprising 4,594 males and 1,585 females. Kigam village consists of 455 houses, indicating an average household size of 13.58 persons per house. The village shows a highly skewed gender composition with males comprising 74.3% and females making up only 25.7% of the population. This significant demographic imbalance suggests unique community dynamics and possibly migration-related patterns within the village.
Literacy Achievements in Kigam
Kigam village has a total literate population of 4,174 persons, with an overall literacy rate of 67.55%, which is below the national average of 74.04%:
- Male literate population: 3,654 persons
- Female literate population: 520 persons
- Male literacy rate: 79.53%
- Female literacy rate: 32.81%
The gender gap in literacy is exceptionally large, with a difference of 46.72 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. While 3,654 males are literate, only 520 females have achieved literacy, indicating severe barriers to women’s education in the village. The male literacy rate approaches national standards, but the female literacy rate is dramatically lower, highlighting the critical need for enhanced educational infrastructure specifically for girls.
Workforce Engagement in Kigam
The village shows the following employment patterns:
- Total working population: 3,641 (58.93% of total population)
- Male working population: 3,388 (73.74%)
- Female working population: 253 (15.96%)
The overall work participation rate of 58.93% is notably high compared to most villages in the region, though there is still a significant gender disparity in workforce participation. While 73.74% of males are engaged in economic activities, only 15.96% of females participate in the workforce, meaning just 253 women out of 1,585 are counted as workers. This low female work participation rate, despite being higher than neighboring villages, suggests ongoing cultural, social, or economic barriers preventing more women from engaging in formal economic activities.
Population Breakdown & Social Categories
Census documentation provides valuable perspectives regarding the village’s age structure with a population aged 0-6 years numbering 916 persons (14.83% of total population). The child population represents approximately one-seventh of the total population, indicating a demographic profile that closely aligns with the national average of 13.59% for the 0-6 age group. This suggests a relatively balanced population structure within the village, with moderate generational distribution. The village has a Scheduled Caste population of 128 persons (2.07% of total population), which is relatively unusual for the Kashmir valley region and indicates some demographic diversity within the community.
Benchmark Analysis
| Indicator | Kigam | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 6,179 | – | – |
| Household Size | 13.58 | 4.9 | +8.68 |
| Sex Ratio | 345 | 943 | -598 |
| Literacy Rate | 67.55% | 74.04% | -6.49% |
| Male Literacy | 79.53% | 82.14% | -2.61% |
| Female Literacy | 32.81% | 65.46% | -32.65% |
| Work Participation | 58.93% | ~39% | +19.93% |
| Male Work Participation | 73.74% | ~56% | +17.74% |
| Female Work Participation | 15.96% | ~26% | -10.04% |