Sex Ratio and Literacy: District-Level Analysis

3.1 Sex Ratio

Rajasthan's sex ratio of 928 females per 1,000 males has historically been one of the lowest in India, reflecting persistent son-preference, adverse child sex ratio, and excess female mortality. However, the 2011 figure represents an improvement from 922 in 2001 (+6 points), indicating a slowly improving trend.

Child sex ratio (0–6 years): 888 is particularly concerning. It indicates continued female foeticide and sex-selective practices, despite the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, 1994 prohibiting sex determination. Rajasthan's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme was initially launched in the 100 most sex-ratio-challenged districts, several of which are in Rajasthan (Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Bharatpur).

Category	District	Sex Ratio
Highest sex ratio	Dungarpur	994
2nd highest	Rajsamand	988
3rd highest	Pali	987
Lowest sex ratio	Dhaulpur	846
2nd lowest	Bharatpur	880
3rd lowest	Karauli	861

Source: Census of India 2011, Rajasthan

The tribal-dominated southern districts (Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Pali) consistently show higher sex ratios — tribal communities historically grant women greater freedom and have lower rates of sex-selective practices. The eastern districts (Dhaulpur, Bharatpur, Karauli) with Jat-dominated agrarian communities show the lowest sex ratios, linked to dowry practices and son-preference.

3.2 Literacy Rate

At 66.1%, Rajasthan's literacy rate trails the national average of 74.0% by nearly 8 percentage points. The gender gap is especially acute: while male literacy at 79.2% is near the national average of 82.1%, female literacy at 52.1% is among India's lowest, creating a 27.1-percentage-point gender gap.

Category	District	Literacy Rate
Highest literacy	Kota	76.6%
2nd highest	Jaipur	75.5%
3rd highest	Jhunjhunu	74.1%
Lowest literacy	Jalore	54.9%
2nd lowest	Sirohi	55.3%
3rd lowest	Barmer	56.5%

Source: Census of India 2011, Rajasthan

Kota as the most literate district reflects its status as an education hub (coaching institutes, IIT-JEE/NEET preparation industry attracts educated migrants). Jalore's low literacy reflects remote location, tribal and desert fringe populations, and historically inadequate schooling infrastructure. The Pachhadee pockets of Jalore, Barmer, and Sirohi remain education-disadvantaged areas.

3.3 Urban Population Distribution

Urban population at 24.9% (1.71 crore) is below the national average of 31.2%, confirming Rajasthan as a predominantly rural state. The state had 291 towns and 44,672 villages as per Census 2011.

Jaipur Urban Agglomeration (30.6 lakh) is the dominant urban centre — it alone accounts for 18% of the total urban population. Other significant urban centres: Jodhpur (10.3 lakh), Kota (10.0 lakh), Bikaner (6.5 lakh), Ajmer (5.4 lakh). The state has only 2 cities with population exceeding 10 lakh (class I cities of 1 million+): Jaipur and Jodhpur.

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