Kupwara is a city and district which is located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India. According to the Census 2011, the district has a total population of 870,354 persons, comprising 474,190 males and 396,164 females. The district consists of 113,929 houses, indicating an average household size of 7.64 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 Kupwara
Kupwara exhibits a gender composition with males comprising 54.5% of the population and females making up 45.5%. The district has a sex ratio of 836 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 in Kupwara
Kupwara district has an overall literacy rate of 50.51%, which is significantly below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border districts in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literacy rate: 64.88%
- Female literacy rate: 33.98%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 30.90 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. Only about one-third of the female population is literate, indicating significant barriers to women’s education in the district. This gap is considerably wider than the national gender literacy gap of approximately 16 percentage points, suggesting that female education requires urgent attention and intervention across the entire district.
Age Structure and Child Population
The census data reveals important insights about the district’s age composition:
- Population aged 0-6 years: 188,798 (21.69% of total population)
The child population represents more than one-fifth of the total population, indicating a young demographic profile with a substantial proportion of children. This percentage is considerably 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 facilities, primary education infrastructure, and pediatric health services across the district in the coming years.
Social Composition
According to the census data:
- Scheduled Caste population: 1,048 (0.12% of total population)
The minimal presence of Scheduled Caste population in KUPWARA is notable. This reflects the distinct social structure of Jammu & Kashmir, where the demographic composition differs significantly from mainland India. The district 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 113,929 houses accommodating 870,354 people, KUPWARA has an average household size of 7.64 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.
Strategic and Geographic Significance
As a border district in Jammu & Kashmir, Kupwara holds significant strategic importance. The district’s location near the Line of Control influences various aspects of life, from demographic patterns to economic opportunities and infrastructure development. The challenging terrain and border security concerns have historically impacted access to education, healthcare, and economic development, which is reflected in the district’s literacy rates and socio-economic indicators.