Gagal 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 5,555 persons, comprising 2,904 males and 2,651 females. The village consists of 732 houses, indicating an average household size of 7.59 persons per house. The village is situated in the border region of Kupwara, which is known for its strategic location and mountainous terrain. The demographic characteristics of Gagal reflect patterns typical of rural settlements in the Kashmir valley, where community bonds remain strong and traditional living arrangements continue to shape daily life and social interactions.
Gender Demographics in Gagal
Gagal exhibits a balanced gender composition with males comprising 52.3% and females making up 47.7% of the population. This healthy gender balance indicates stable demographic patterns and reflects positively on the village’s social structure and development.
Literacy Statistics of Gagal Village
This village has a total literate population of 1,959 persons, with an overall literacy rate of 35.26%, which is significantly below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border areas in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literate population: 1,143 persons
- Female literate population: 816 persons
- Male literacy rate: 39.36%
- Female literacy rate: 30.78%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 8.58 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. While 1,143 males are literate, only 816 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.
Employment and Work Participation
Gagal shows the following employment patterns:
- Total working population: 1,115 (20.07% of total population)
- Male work participation rate: 36.09%
- Female work participation rate: 2.53%
The overall work participation rate of 20.07% is relatively low, and there is an extreme gender disparity in workforce participation. While 36.09% of males are engaged in economic activities, only 2.53% of females participate in the workforce—meaning just 67 women out of 2,651 are counted as workers. This exceptionally 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 1,502 persons (27.04% of total population). The child population represents more than 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 732 houses accommodating 5,555 people, this village has an average household size of 7.59 persons, significantly higher than the national average of approximately 4.9 persons per household, indicating extended family systems prevalent in the area.
| Indicator | Gagal | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 5,555 | – | – |
| Household Size | 7.59 | 4.9 | +2.69 |
| Sex Ratio | 913 | 943 | -30 |
| Literacy Rate | 35.26% | 74.04% | -38.78% |
| Male Literacy | 39.36% | 82.14% | -42.78% |
| Female Literacy | 30.78% | 65.46% | -34.68% |
| Work Participation | 20.07% | ~39% | -18.93% |
| Male Work Participation | 36.09% | ~56% | -19.91% |
| Female Work Participation | 2.53% | ~26% | -23.47% |