Kuligam 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 6,524 persons, comprising 3,946 males and 2,578 females. The village consists of 731 houses, indicating an average household size of 8.93 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 Kuligam
Kuligam exhibits a moderately skewed gender composition with males comprising 60.5% of the population and females making up 39.5%. The village has a sex ratio of 653 females per 1,000 males, which is considerably lower than the national average of 943 females per 1,000 males (Census 2011) and significantly 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 Kuligam has a total literate population of 3,611 persons, with an overall literacy rate of 55.35%, which is below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border areas in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literate population: 2,594 persons
- Female literate population: 1,017 persons
- Male literacy rate: 65.73%
- Female literacy rate: 39.45%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 26.28 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. While 2,594 males are literate, only 1,017 females have achieved literacy, indicating significant barriers to women’s education in the village. The overall literacy rate, though better than many neighboring villages, still suggests ongoing educational challenges requiring continued interventions and infrastructure development.
Employment and Work Participation
Kuligam shows the following employment patterns:
- Total working population: 2,323 (35.61% of total population)
- Male work participation rate: 53.78%
- Female work participation rate: 7.80%
The overall work participation rate of 35.61% is relatively reasonable, but there is a significant gender disparity in workforce participation. While 53.78% of males are engaged in economic activities, only 7.80% of females participate in the workforce—meaning just 201 women out of 2,578 are counted as workers. This low female work participation rate suggests considerable barriers preventing women from engaging in formal economic activities, though it is somewhat higher than several other villages in the region.
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 1,283 persons (19.67% of total population). The child population represents nearly one-fifth of the total population, indicating a young demographic profile higher than the national average of 13.59% for the 0-6 age group. This implies continued demand for childcare facilities and primary education infrastructure.
According to the census data, the village has a Scheduled Caste population of 107 persons (1.64% of total population), which is higher than many other villages in the region but still reflects the distinct social structure characteristic of Jammu & Kashmir where such populations remain minimal.
Housing and Living Conditions
With 731 houses accommodating 6,524 people, this village has an average household size of 8.93 persons, significantly higher than the national average of approximately 4.9 persons per household, reflecting multi-generational living arrangements.
| Indicator | Kuligam | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 6,524 | – | – |
| Household Size | 8.93 | 4.9 | +4.03 |
| Sex Ratio | 653 | 943 | -290 |
| Literacy Rate | 55.35% | 74.04% | -18.69% |
| Male Literacy | 65.73% | 82.14% | -16.41% |
| Female Literacy | 39.45% | 65.46% | -26.01% |
| Work Participation | 35.61% | ~39% | -3.39% |
| Male Work Participation | 53.78% | ~56% | -2.22% |
| Female Work Participation | 7.80% | ~26% | -18.20% |