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%.