From 20299 in 2001 to 35631 in 2011; 26% increase in Muslim population, 18% in Hindu

The population of Christians in Jammu and Kashmir has increased by 75 percent from 2001 to 2011, the Census data has revealed.

The religion-wise data of 2011 Census—released by the Government of India on Tuesday—shows that Christian population has recorded the highest decadal growth rate in the State.

From 20299 in 2001, the Christian population has risen to 35631 in 2011—an increase of 75.5 % in 10 years.

Of these, the data says, 21523 are males while remaining 14108 females.

On the other hand, the Muslim population in the State has recorded a growth of 26.1 percent in the corresponding period while Hindus registered an increase of 18.1 percent in their population.

In absolute numbers, the Muslim population rose to 8,567,485 from 6,793,240 in the same period while the Hindu population grew to 3,566,674 from 3,005,349.

The Sikh population in the State has recorded least increase during the decade. It has grown by 13.1 percent (from 207154 to 234848) in this period.

The district-wise break-up of Christian population in the state is: Kupwara (1700); Budgam (1489), Baramulla (1497), Bandipora (572), Srinagar (2746), Ganderbal (406), Pulwama (1109), Shopain (429), Islamabad (1449), Kulgam(460), Leh(658),Kargil (604), Poonch (958), Rajouri (983), Kathua (1828), Doda (472), Ramban (414), Kishtwar (277), Udhampur (1962), Reasi (1208), Jammu (12104) and Samba (2306).