Khurhama 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 5,484 persons, comprising 2,799 males and 2,685 females. The village consists of 733 houses, indicating an average household size of 7.48 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 Khurhama
Khurhama exhibits a remarkably balanced gender composition with males comprising 51.0% of the population and females making up 49.0%. The village has a sex ratio of 959 females per 1,000 males, which is higher than the national average of 943 females per 1,000 males (Census 2011) and significantly above Jammu & Kashmir’s state average of 889.
This healthy sex ratio is encouraging and indicates balanced demographic patterns that are rare in many border regions. The near-equal distribution between males and females suggests stable community dynamics and positive gender balance, reflecting well on the village’s social structure and development indicators.
Literacy Statistics
Village Khurhama has an overall literacy rate of 25.24%, which is significantly below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border areas in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literacy rate: 30.15%
- Female literacy rate: 20.11%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 10.04 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. Only about one-fifth of the female population is literate, indicating significant barriers to women’s education in the village. The overall low literacy rate suggests that the village faces severe educational challenges affecting both males and females, requiring comprehensive educational interventions and infrastructure development.
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 1,583 persons (28.87% of total population). The child population represents more than one-quarter of the total population, indicating a very young demographic profile considerably higher than the national average of 13.59% for the 0-6 age group. This suggests relatively higher fertility rates and implies significant demand for childcare facilities, primary education infrastructure, and pediatric health services.
According to the census data, the village has no Scheduled Caste population (0% of total population), which reflects the distinct social structure of Jammu & Kashmir where such populations are minimal, characteristic of the Muslim-majority regions of Kashmir valley.
Housing and Living Conditions
With 733 houses accommodating 5,484 people, Khurhama has an average household size of 7.48 persons, which is significantly higher than the national average of approximately 4.9 persons per household. This large household size indicates strong joint family systems where multiple generations live together, extended families sharing the same household, and deep-rooted cultural traditions common in Kashmir.
| Indicator | Khurhama | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size | 7.48 | 4.9 | +2.58 |
| Sex Ratio | 959 | 943 | +16 |
| Literacy Rate | 25.24% | 74.04% | -48.80% |
| Female Literacy | 20.11% | 65.46% | -45.35% |
Published Date: October 3, 2025