Quick Overview of Jammu & Kashmir (2021/2025 Projection)
- Estimated Population (2025): 14,999,397 – 15,990,000
- 2011 Census Population: 12,541,302 (1.25 Cr)
- Estimated Male Population (2025): 7,940,390 – 7,373,000
- Estimated Female Population (2025): 7,059,007 – 6,709,000
- Area: 222,236 km²
- Density (2025): 56–124/km²
- Urban Population (2025): 3,433,242 (27.38%)
- Rural Population (2025): 9,108,060 (72.62%)
- State Capital & Largest City: Srinagar
- Main Languages: Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri
- ISOCODE: JK
Historic Population & Decadal Trends
| Census Year | Population | Variation | Variation % | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 2,139,362 | – | – | 1,137,000 | 1,003,000 |
| 1911 | 2,293,000 | 153,638 | 7.16 | 1,222,000 | 1,070,000 |
| 1921 | 2,424,000 | 131,000 | 5.75 | 1,296,000 | 1,128,000 |
| 1931 | 2,670,000 | 246,000 | 10.14 | 1,432,000 | 1,238,000 |
| 1941 | 2,947,000 | 277,000 | 10.36 | 1,577,000 | 1,370,000 |
| 1951 | 3,254,000 | 307,000 | 10.42 | 1,737,000 | 1,517,000 |
| 1961 | 3,561,000 | 307,000 | 9.44 | 1,897,000 | 1,664,000 |
| 1971 | 4,617,000 | 1,056,000 | 29.65 | 2,458,000 | 2,159,000 |
| 1981 | 5,987,000 | 1,371,000 | 29.69 | 3,165,000 | 2,823,000 |
| 1991* | 7,837,000 | 1,850,000 | 30.89 | 4,142,000 | 3,695,000 |
| 2001 | 10,143,700 | 2,307,000 | 29.43 | 5,360,926 | 4,782,774 |
| 2011 | 12,541,302 | 2,398,000 | 23.64 | 6,640,662 | 5,900,640 |
| Year | Estimated Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14,999,397–15,990,000 | 12.28–27.56% | ↑ |
| 2030 | 14,555,635 | 16.06% | 0.75% |
| 2036 | 15,033,302 | 19.87% | 0.62% |
District-wise Population (2011 Census & 2025 Estimate)
| S.No. | District Name | 2011 Census | 2025 Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anantnag | 1,078,692 | 1,290,116 |
| 2 | Badgam | 753,745 | 901,479 |
| 3 | Bandipora | 392,232 | 469,109 |
| 4 | Baramula | 1,008,039 | 1,205,615 |
| 5 | Doda | 409,936 | 490,283 |
| 6 | Ganderbal | 297,446 | 355,745 |
| 7 | Jammu | 1,529,958 | 1,829,830 |
| 8 | Kargil | 140,802 | 168,399 |
| 9 | Kathua | 616,435 | 737,256 |
| 10 | Kishtwar | 230,696 | 275,912 |
| 11 | Kulgam | 424,483 | 507,682 |
| 12 | Kupwara | 870,354 | 1,040,943 |
| 13 | Leh | 133,487 | 159,650 |
| 14 | Pulwama | 560,440 | 670,286 |
| 15 | Punch | 476,835 | 570,295 |
| 16 | Rajouri | 642,415 | 768,328 |
| 17 | Ramban | 283,713 | 339,321 |
| 18 | Reasi | 314,667 | 376,342 |
| 19 | Samba | 318,898 | 381,402 |
| 20 | Shupiyan | 266,215 | 318,393 |
| 21 | Srinagar | 1,236,829 | 1,479,247 |
| 22 | Udhampur | 554,985 | 663,762 |
City-wise Population (2011 Census & 2025 Estimate)
| S.No. | City Name | 2011 Census | 2025 Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Srinagar | 1,180,570 | 1,411,962 |
| 2 | Jammu | 502,197 | 600,628 |
| 3 | Anantnag | 109,433 | 130,882 |
Religion-wise Population
| Religion | 2011 Census | % | 2025 Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 8,567,485 | 68.31% | 10,246,712 |
| Hindu | 3,566,674 | 28.44% | 4,265,742 |
| Sikh | 234,848 | 1.87% | 280,878 |
| Buddhist | 112,584 | 0.90% | 134,650 |
| Christian | 35,631 | 0.28% | 42,615 |
| Jain | 2,490 | 0.02% | 2,978 |
| Not Stated | 20,082 | 0.16% | 24,018 |
| Others | 1,508 | 0.01% | 1,804 |
Sex Ratio
- Overall Sex Ratio (2011): 889 females per 1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio: 862
- Urban Sex Ratio: 840
- Rural Sex Ratio: 908
- District Highest Sex Ratio: Kulgam & Shupiyan 951
- District Lowest Sex Ratio: Leh 690
| Religion | Sex Ratio |
|---|---|
| Muslim | 935 |
| Hindu | 795 |
| Sikh | 768 |
| Buddhist | 995 |
Literacy Rate
- Total Literacy Rate: 67.16%
- Male Literacy Rate: 76.77%
- Female Literacy Rate: 56.42%
- Urban Literacy Rate: 77.12%
- Rural Literacy Rate: 63.18%
| Category | Average Literacy Rate | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 67.16 | 76.77 | 56.42 |
| Urban Area | 77.12 | 83.92 | 69.01 |
| Rural Area | 63.18 | 73.76 | 51.64 |
| Religion | Average Literacy Rate | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 61.03 | 71.02 | 50.5 |
| Hindu | 79.09 | 87.16 | 68.87 |
| Sikh | 90.82 | 94.89 | 85.53 |
| Buddhist | 68.79 | 77.30 | 60.27 |
SC/ST Population
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 924,991 (7.38%); SC Sex Ratio: 903
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 1,493,299 (11.91%); ST Sex Ratio: 924
Socio-Economic and Household Facts
- Total Households: 2,119,718
- Total Towns: 122
- Total Villages: 6,553
- Ownership Trend: 96.73% owned; 2.19% rented
- Couples in Single Family: 73.51%
- Banking/Finance Access: 70.00%
- Families Owning Car: 7.47%; two-wheelers: 12.92%
- Internet Penetration (2011): 2.88%
- Growing insurance interest with literacy
Urban vs Rural Population
- Urban Population: 3,433,242 (27.38%)
- Rural Population: 9,108,060 (72.62%)
- Urban Literacy Rate: 77.12%
- Rural Literacy Rate: 63.18%
- Urban Sex Ratio: 840
- Rural Sex Ratio: 908
Child & Slum Population
- Child Population (0-6): 2,018,905 (16.1% of pop.)
- Child Sex Ratio: 862
- Slum Population: 662,062 (5.3%)
- Slum Households: 103,633
- Slum Sex Ratio: 934
Workforce (Worker Profile)
- Total Workers: 4,322,713 (34.47% overall)
- Male Workers: 3,195,090
- Female Workers: 1,127,623
District Highlights
| Description | District | 2011 | 2025 Est. | Sex Ratio | Literacy Rate | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Populous | Jammu | 1,529,958 | 1,829,830 | 892 | 83.45% | — |
| Least Populous | Leh | 133,487 | 159,650 | 690 | 77.20% | 3 |
| Highest Literacy | Jammu | 1,529,958 | 1,829,830 | 892 | 83.45% | — |
| Lowest Literacy | Ramban | 283,713 | 339,321 | — | 54.27% | — |
| Highest Sex Ratio | Kulgam | 424,483 | 507,682 | 951 | — | — |
| Lowest Sex Ratio | Leh | 133,487 | 159,650 | 690 | — | 3 |
Key Takeaways - Jammu & Kashmir Growth
- Muslim majority: 68.3% (2025)
- Rural population: 73%
- Sex ratio: 889 overall, worst in Leh (690)
- Literacy improving: 67.16% (2025)
- Urbanization slowly rising, low density
- Projected population near 16 million by 2026