Misri Behak 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 1,996 persons, comprising 1,713 males and 283 females. The village consists of 173 houses, indicating an average household size of 11.54 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 Misri Behak
Misri Behak exhibits a severely skewed gender composition with males comprising 85.8% of the population and females making up only 14.2%. The village has a sex ratio of 165 females per 1,000 males, which is extraordinarily lower than the national average of 943 females per 1,000 males (Census 2011) and dramatically below Jammu & Kashmir’s state average of 889.
This extremely low sex ratio is a critical matter of concern and could be attributed to several factors including significant male-dominated migration patterns, substantial underreporting of female births, or the strategic border location of Kupwara district which may influence demographic patterns. The severe disparity suggests acute gender imbalances that warrant urgent attention from policymakers and social development programs.
Literacy Statistics
Village Misri Behak has an overall literacy rate of 81.03%, which is above the national average of 74.04%, reflecting relatively better educational access despite being in a border area of Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literacy rate: 88.91%
- Female literacy rate: 33.57%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 55.34 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 village. While male literacy is impressive, the extremely wide gender gap in literacy suggests that female education requires urgent attention and intervention, despite the village’s overall high literacy rate.
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 148 persons (7.42% of total population). The child population represents a relatively smaller proportion compared to other villages in the region, being significantly lower than the national average of 13.59% for the 0-6 age group. This lower percentage may suggest declining fertility rates or demographic shifts related to the village’s border location and unusual gender composition.
According to the census data, the village has a Scheduled Caste population of 24 persons (1.20% of total population), which is slightly higher than many other villages in the region but still reflects the distinct social structure of Jammu & Kashmir where such populations remain minimal.
Housing and Living Conditions
With 173 houses accommodating 1,996 people, Misri Behak has an average household size of 11.54 persons, which is exceptionally high compared to the national average of approximately 4.9 persons per household. This very 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 | Misri Behak | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size | 11.54 | 4.9 | +6.64 |
| Sex Ratio | 165 | 943 | -778 |
| Literacy Rate | 81.03% | 74.04% | +6.99% |
| Female Literacy | 33.57% | 65.46% | -31.89% |
Published Date: October 3, 2025