________________
SEX RATIO AND CHILD SEX RATIO AMONG VARIOUS
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES: 2001
1200
1009 964
992 976
1000
931 925
936 950
953 942
940
893
870
780
Hindus
Muslims
Christians
Sikhs
Buddhists
Jains
Others
Sex Ratio Sex Ratio (0-6)
Figure: 9
Literacy, Work Participation and Occupation Literacy-wise, in 2001 Jains with a figure of 94.1% were the most literate community, followed by Christians at 80.3%, Buddhists 72.7%, Sikhs 69.4%, Hindus 65.1% and Muslims 59.1% (Table 3.8). It must be noted that in as many as 29 states of India the literacy rate among the Jains is above 90%. The national average for literacy is 64.8%. In all the religious communities female literacy was found to be lower than the male literacy by about 11 percentage points. It stood at 53.7%. In female literacy too, the Jains take the lead with a figure of 90.6%, followed by Christians (76.2%), Sikhs (63.1%), Buddhists (61.7%), Hindus 53.2% and Muslims (50.1%). In twentynine states and union territories the female literacy among the Jains is 80% or above (Table 3.9). According to the report of the RegistrarGeneral and Census Commissioner of India, the Jains are likely to reach the goal of universal literacy for the total population any time now” (The First report on Religion data 2004: xxi).
62 Jains in India and Abroad
