MINDIYAN 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 5,255 persons, comprising 2,745 males and 2,510 females. The village consists of 528 houses, indicating an average household size of 9.95 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 Mindiyan
MINDIYAN exhibits a relatively balanced gender composition with males comprising 52.2% of the population and females making up 47.8%. The village has a sex ratio of 914 females per 1,000 males, which is slightly lower than the national average of 943 females per 1,000 males (Census 2011) but closer to Jammu & Kashmir’s state average of 889.
This sex ratio is reasonably healthy and indicates fairly balanced demographic patterns. The near-equal distribution between males and females suggests stable community dynamics and better gender balance compared to many other villages in border regions.
Literacy Statistics
Village MINDIYAN has an overall literacy rate of 40.89%, which is significantly below the national average of 74.04%, reflecting the educational challenges faced by border areas in Jammu & Kashmir:
- Male literacy rate: 49.80%
- Female literacy rate: 31.16%
The gender gap in literacy is substantial, with a difference of 18.64 percentage points between male and female literacy rates. Less than one-third of the female population is literate, indicating significant barriers to women’s education in the village. This literacy gap highlights the need for targeted educational interventions, particularly programs focused on improving female literacy and access to quality education.
Age Structure and Child Population
The census data reveals important insights about the village’s age composition:
- Population aged 0-6 years: 1,471 (27.99% of total population)
The child population represents more than one-quarter of the total population, indicating a very 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 rapidly growing population base. However, this also implies increased demand for childcare facilities, primary education infrastructure, and pediatric health services in the coming years.
Social Composition
According to the census data:
- Scheduled Caste population: 0 (0% of total population)
The complete absence of Scheduled Caste population in MINDIYAN is notable. This reflects the distinct social structure of Jammu & Kashmir, where the demographic composition differs significantly from mainland India. The state 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 528 houses accommodating 5,255 people, MINDIYAN has an average household size of 9.95 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.