Main district library plus branch and mobile units, free for on-site reading and lending to members.
Karaikal has 3.6 public libraries per 10 lakh population, behind the typical district. 17.4% of women read a newspaper regularly, better than the typical district. 65.7% use the internet, better than the typical district. The Public Library remains one of the few free, physical spaces for reading and study in the district.
82% of registered enterprises are in services while 18% are in manufacturing. Only 5% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 58% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Karaikal, which ranks 2 of 2 in Puducherry for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 57.6 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on young men using the internet at 73.4%, while it lags on young men who read a newspaper regularly at 22.7%.