Demographics
The population of the Lower Dir district's 37 Union Councils is 797,852 according to the 1998 census report. The projected population of Lower Dir Lower 1,037,091 in 2005 with the same growth between the 1981 and 1998 census i.e. 3.42% per annum. The projected male population of Lower Dir in 2005 is 514,072 and the female is 523,020.
The literacy ratio of the district among the population aged 10 years and above is 29.90 per cent; it has increased significantly since 1981 when it was just 10.16 per cent. The male literacy ratio is higher: 48.76 per cent compared to 12.25 per cent for females, at the 1998 census.
Dir is considered one of the most sensitive areas in Pakistan in term of religious extremism. Religio-political parties that have taken root in Dir include JUI, JI and TNSM, but People Party and Awami National party get strengthening day by day. Dir was ruled by a princely dynasty until 1969. There were limited facilities for education, health, road, transportation and communication for the inhabitants.
Read more about this topic: Lower Dir District