According to the 2011 census Meerut district has a population of 3,443,689, roughly equal to the nation of Panama or the US state of Connecticut. This gives it a ranking of 94th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 1,346 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,490/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 14.89%. Meerut has a sex ratio of 886 females for every 1000 males, lower than the state average of 908; while the child sex ratio is 852, lower than the state average of 899. The district has a literacy rate of 72.84%, higher than the state average of 69.72%.