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Largest and Smallest District in Punjab
Nestled in the northern expanse of India, Punjab stands as a state rich in cultural heritage, agricultural prowess, and historical significance. As of the latest available information in 2024, Punjab is administratively organized into 23 districts, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the state’s socio-economic landscape and cultural identity.
Malerkotla District is the smallest district by area and Barnala District is the least populated district in Punjab.
read about Population of Punjab
| # | District | Population (2011) | Area (km²) |
| 1 | Amritsar | 2,490,656 | 2,673 |
| 2 | Barnala | 5,95527 | 1,423 |
| 3 | Bathinda | 1,388,525 | 3,355 |
| 4 | Faridkot | 617,508 | 1,472 |
| 5 | Fatehgarh Sahib | 600,163 | 1,180 |
| 6 | Fazilka | 1,180,483 | 3113 |
| 7 | Firozpur | 825,629 | 2,190 |
| 8 | Gurdaspur | 1,621,725 | 2,610 |
| 9 | Hoshiarpur | 1,586,625 | 3,397 |
| 10 | Jalandhar | 2,193,590 | 2,625 |
| 11 | Kapurthala | 815,168 | 1,646 |
| 12 | Ludhiana | 3,498,739 | 3,744 |
| 13 | Mansa | 769,751 | 2,174 |
| 14 | Malerkotla* | 429,754 | 837 |
| 15 | Moga | 995,746 | 2,235 |
| 16 | Pathankot | 626,154 | 929 |
| 17 | Patiala | 2,892,282 | 3,175 |
| 18 | Rupnagar | 684,627 | 1,400 |
| 19 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar | 994,628 | 1,188 |
| 20 | Sangrur* | 1,203,153 | 2,848 |
| 21 | Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar | 612,310 | 1,283 |
| 22 | Sri Muktsar Sahib | 901,896 | 2,596 |
| 23 | Tarn Taran | 1,119,627 | 2,414 |
*Malerkotla is the 23rd district in Punjab & carved out of Sangrur district on 14 May 2021.
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Largest and Smallest District in Punjab by Area
Ludhiana district covering an area of 3744 km² is the largest district in Punjab. After the creation of Malerkotla district from Sangrur in May 2021, Malerkotla with an approx area of 837 km2 may become the smallest district by area.
| # By Area | District | Area |
| Largest | Ludhiana | 3744 km² |
| Smallest | Malerkotla | 837 km2 |
Source: Census 2011
Largest and Smallest District in Punjab by Population
Ludhiana District is the most populated district in Punjab. Its Population as per the census 2011 is 35 Lakhs. Barnala District with a population of 5.95 Lakhs is the least populated district in Punjab.
| # by Population | District | Population (Census 2011) |
| Most Populated | Ludhiana | 3,498,739 |
| Least | Barnala | 595527 |
Highest and Lowest Population Density
Ludhiana ( 975 people per km) has the highest Population density in Punjab. Sri Muktsar Sahib District with a population density of 348 people per km is the lowest-density district in Punjab.
| # by Density | District | Density (person/km) |
| Highest | Ludhiana | 975 |
| Least | Sri Muktsar Sahib | 348 |
Source: Census 2011
Punjab Districts - Density | Literacy Rate | Sex Ratio
| # | District | Density | Sex Ratio | Literacy rate |
| 1 | Amritsar | 932 | 889 | 76.27% |
| 2 | Barnala | 419 | 876 | 67.82% |
| 3 | Bathinda | 414 | 868 | 68.28% |
| 4 | Faridkot | 424 | 890 | 69.55% |
| 5 | Fatehgarh Sahib | 508 | 871 | 79.35% |
| 6 | Fazilka | 379 | 898 | 68.46% |
| 7 | Firozpur | 377 | 897 | 68.92% |
| 8 | Gurdaspur | 621 | 874 | 74.50% |
| 9 | Hoshiarpur | 466 | 961 | 84.59% |
| 10 | Jalandhar | 831 | 915 | 82.48% |
| 11 | Kapurthala | 501 | 912 | 79.07% |
| 12 | Ludhiana | 975 | 873 | 82.20% |
| 13 | Mansa | 350 | 883 | 61.83% |
| 14 | Moga | 444 | 893 | 70.68% |
| 15 | Pathankot | 674 | 916 | 85.40% |
| 16 | Patiala | 596 | 891 | 75.28% |
| 17 | Rupnagar | 488 | 915 | 82.19% |
| 18 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar | 830 | 879 | 83.80% |
| 19 | Sangrur | 449 | 885 | 67.99% |
| 20 | Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar | 479 | 954 | 79.78% |
| 21 | Sri Muktsar Sahib | 348 | 896 | 65.81% |
| 22 | Tarn Taran | 464 | 900 | 67.81% |
Source: Census 2011
Punjab District with Highest and Lowest Literacy rate
| # by Literacy Rate | District | Literacy Rate |
| Most Literate | Pathankot | 85.40% |
| Least | Mansa | 61.83% |
Source: Census 2011
Punjab District with Highest and Lowest Male Female Ratio
Hoshiarpur district (961) has the highest Male-Female Sex ratio in Punjab. Bathinda District (868) has the lowest male-female sex ratio in Punjab
| # by Literacy Rate | District | Sex ratio |
| Highest | Hoshiarpur | 961 females to 1000 males |
| Lowest | Bathinda | 868 females to 1000 males |
Source: Census 2011
Punjab District Map
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