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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.
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Punjab Districts List
| # | District | Population (2011) | Area (km²) | Density |
| 1 | Ludhiana | 3,498,739 | 3,744 | 975 |
| 2 | Patiala | 2,892,282 | 3,175 | 596 |
| 3 | Amritsar | 2,490,656 | 2,673 | 932 |
| 4 | Jalandhar | 2,193,590 | 2,625 | 831 |
| 5 | Gurdaspur | 1,621,725 | 2,610 | 621 |
| 6 | Hoshiarpur | 1,586,625 | 3,397 | 466 |
| 7 | Bathinda | 1,388,525 | 3,355 | 414 |
| 8 | Sangrur* | 1,203,153 | 2,848 | 449 |
| 9 | Fazilka | 1,180,483 | 3113 | 379 |
| 10 | Tarn Taran | 1,119,627 | 2,414 | 464 |
| 11 | Moga | 995,746 | 2,235 | 444 |
| 12 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar | 994,628 | 1,188 | 830 |
| 13 | Sri Muktsar Sahib | 901,896 | 2,596 | 348 |
| 14 | Firozpur | 825,629 | 2,190 | 377 |
| 15 | Kapurthala | 815,168 | 1,646 | 501 |
| 16 | Mansa | 769,751 | 2,174 | 350 |
| 17 | Rupnagar | 684,627 | 1,400 | 488 |
| 18 | Pathankot | 626,154 | 929 | 674 |
| 19 | Faridkot | 617,508 | 1,472 | 424 |
| 20 | Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar | 612,310 | 1,283 | 479 |
| 21 | Fatehgarh Sahib | 600,163 | 1,180 | 508 |
| 22 | Barnala | 595,527 | 1,423 | 419 |
| 23 | Malerkotla* | 429,754 | 684 | 629 |
*Malerkotla is the 23rd district in Punjab & carved out of Sangrur district on 14 May 2021.
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Punjab District Map
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 684 km², may become the smallest district by area.
| # By Area | District | Area |
| Largest | Ludhiana | 3744 km² |
| Smallest | Malerkotla | 684 km² |
Source: Census 2011
Largest and Smallest District in Punjab by Population
Ludhiana District is the most populous district in Punjab. Its Population as per the census 2011 is 35 Lakhs. Malerkotla District with a population of 4.29 Lakhs is the least populated district in Punjab.
| # by Population | District | Population (Census 2011) |
| Most Populated | Ludhiana | 3,498,739 |
| Least | Malerkotla | 429,754 |
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 District by Literacy rate
| # | District | Literacy rate |
| 1 | Amritsar | 76.27% |
| 2 | Barnala | 67.82% |
| 3 | Bathinda | 68.28% |
| 4 | Faridkot | 69.55% |
| 5 | Fatehgarh Sahib | 79.35% |
| 6 | Fazilka | 68.46% |
| 7 | Firozpur | 68.92% |
| 8 | Gurdaspur | 74.50% |
| 9 | Hoshiarpur | 84.59% |
| 10 | Jalandhar | 82.48% |
| 11 | Kapurthala | 79.07% |
| 12 | Ludhiana | 82.20% |
| 13 | Mansa | 61.83% |
| 14 | Malerkotla* | |
| 15 | Moga | 70.68% |
| 16 | Pathankot | 85.40% |
| 17 | Patiala | 75.28% |
| 18 | Rupnagar | 82.19% |
| 19 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar | 83.80% |
| 20 | Sangrur | 67.99% |
| 21 | Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar | 79.78% |
| 22 | Sri Muktsar Sahib | 65.81% |
| 23 | Tarn Taran | 67.81% |
Source: Census 2011
Punjab District by Sex 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
| # | District | Sex Ratio |
| 1 | Amritsar | 889 |
| 2 | Barnala | 876 |
| 3 | Bathinda | 868 |
| 4 | Faridkot | 890 |
| 5 | Fatehgarh Sahib | 871 |
| 6 | Fazilka | 898 |
| 7 | Firozpur | 897 |
| 8 | Gurdaspur | 874 |
| 9 | Hoshiarpur | 961 |
| 10 | Jalandhar | 915 |
| 11 | Kapurthala | 912 |
| 12 | Ludhiana | 873 |
| 13 | Mansa | 883 |
| 14 | Malerkotla* | – |
| 15 | Moga | 893 |
| 16 | Pathankot | 916 |
| 17 | Patiala | 891 |
| 18 | Rupnagar | 915 |
| 19 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar | 879 |
| 20 | Sangrur | 885 |
| 21 | Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar | 954 |
| 22 | Sri Muktsar Sahib | 896 |
| 23 | Tarn Taran | 900 |
Source: Census 2011
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