Ladakh
District-Level Data & Statistics
- PopulationCensus 2011, the latest complete count; Census 2027 results are expected from 2028
- 2.7 Lakh
- <0.1% of India
- Projected 2026: 3 LakhOfficial projection for 1 March 2026, not a count: Technical Group on Population Projections, National Commission on Population, MoHFW (2020)
- Districts
- 2
- Avg 1.4 Lakh each
- AreaDensity uses the Census 2011 population
- 1,68,011 km²
- 2 people /km²
- Literacy RateCensus 2011: literates as a share of people aged 7 and above
- 74.3%
- India: 72.9%
- Sex RatioCensus 2011: females per 1,000 males
- 750
- India: 943
- RankBy Census 2011 population
- 35th
- of 36 by population
Ladakh is India's 35th most populous state with a population of 2.7 Lakh (Census 2011) spread across 2 districts covering 1,68,011 sq km. The state's literacy rate stands at 74.3%, above the national average of 72.9%. With a sex ratio of 750 females per 1,000 males, it is below the national figure of 943.
Credit Growth (5-Year) in Ladakh · district average 118.5%, 8th of 36 states
MSME Density in Ladakh · population-weighted average 53.6 per 1,000 people, 12th of 36 states
Women Literacy in Ladakh · population-weighted average 76.8%, 24th of 36 states
Health Insurance in Ladakh · population-weighted average 96.1%, 1st of 34 states
Demographics
What changed in Ladakh, 2019–21 to 2023–24
Got worse
Nothing got worse by 5 points or more.
NFHS-5 → NFHS-6, changes of 5 points or more. Same districts in both rounds.
Health & Development
NFHS-6 (2023–24, provisional)
State and National are population-weighted averages of districts, not official NFHS figures.
Women & Gender
Economy & Infrastructure
Governance
Safety & Crime
Climate Vulnerability
Ladakh districts ranked
Population (Census 2011)
Population Density (per km²)
Literacy Rate
Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males)
Underweight Children
Electricity Access
Small Business Density
All Districts
2 districtsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ladakh in crore?
Ladakh has a population of 2.7 Lakh (2,74,289) according to the Census 2011, making it India's 35th most populous state, across 2 districts.
What is the total area of Ladakh in sq km?
Ladakh covers a total area of 1,68,011 sq km, divided into 2 districts.
What is the literacy rate of Ladakh?
Ladakh's literacy rate is 74.3% (Census 2011), above the national average of 72.9%. Leh has the highest literacy rate (77.2%) and Kargil the lowest (71.3%). Female literacy is lowest in Kargil (56.3%).
What is the population density of Ladakh?
Ladakh has 2 people per sq km, against a national average of 366. Kargil has the highest population density and Leh the lowest.
What is the sex ratio of Ladakh?
Ladakh has a sex ratio of 750 females per 1,000 males, below the national average of 943. Kargil has the highest sex ratio (810) and Leh the lowest (690).
Which district of Ladakh has the highest and lowest population?
Kargil has the highest population in Ladakh (1.4 Lakh) and Leh the lowest (1.3 Lakh), per the Census 2011.
Which is the largest district of Ladakh by area?
Leh is the largest district of Ladakh by area, and Kargil the smallest.
How many children in Ladakh are stunted or underweight?
In Ladakh, 25.5% of children under 5 are stunted, 10.4% wasted and 14.3% underweight (NFHS-6, 2023–24, provisional). Stunting compares with an India average of 28.0%.
How many households in Ladakh have health insurance?
96.1% of households in Ladakh have at least one member covered by a health insurance or financing scheme (NFHS-6, 2023–24, provisional). The India average is 58.1%.
What changed in Ladakh between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6?
Between NFHS-5 (2019–21) and NFHS-6 (2023–24), Ladakh improved most in health insurance (17% to 96%), women internet use (56% to 80%), male tobacco use (36% to 19%). Changes under 5 percentage points are not counted.
Is there newer population data for Ladakh than the Census 2011?
Not yet. The Census 2011 is the latest complete count. Census 2027 is under way: the population count uses a reference date of 1 March 2027, with provisional results expected by late 2028. Until then, the official projection for Ladakh on 1 March 2026 is 3 Lakh (Technical Group on Population Projections, National Commission on Population, MoHFW, 2020); it is a projection, not a count. Census 2027 timeline
Data Sources
Each indicator keeps its own source and vintage. How they are crosswalked onto one district geography is on the methodology page, with the per-source limits on the caveats page.