Sex Ratio in India 2023 State-wise, Child Sex Ratio, Current Trends

Gender distribution in human populations acts as a crucial demographic indicator, shedding light on socio-economic and cultural dynamics. It’s pivotal for assessing gender equality and a vital sociological metric. The sex ratio, presenting the number of females per 1,000 males, aids in various demographic analyses, including mortality, migration, marital status, and economics. A ratio of 1,000 signifies gender parity, while ratios above 1,000 suggest an excess of females, and those below 1,000 indicate a deficit.

Sex Ratio in India

According to the 2011 census, India’s sex ratio stands at 943, indicating that for every 1,000 males, there are 943 females. A skewed sex ratio favouring males is a concerning signal, often associated with a higher risk of female fetal mortality. This issue is particularly prevalent in regions where parents selectively choose the gender of their children, leading to the tragic practice of female foeticide. The declining sex ratios present a significant threat to India’s future female population.

The sex ratio is calculated using the formula:

Sex Ratio = (Number of Females / Number of Males) x 1000

Child Sex Ratio

The Child Sex Ratio (CSR), which represents the number of females per 1,000 males in the 0–6-year-old age category, is a critical demographic indicator. India’s CSR was 927 in the 2001 census but saw a decline to 918 in the 2011 census.

Sex Ratio Trends: Historical Perspective

The sex ratio in India, a critical demographic indicator, has exhibited a consistent decline since 1901, as per Census data. While the global standard measures Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) as the number of boys born per 100 girls, India uses a different metric, recording female births per 1,000 male births. This alarming trend isn’t restricted to specific age groups; it reflects a broader imbalance, with the general sex ratio falling from 972 in 1901 to 940 in 2011.

India’s historical bias against females is evident in this data. The post-independence era saw a decline in the sex ratio for two decades, reaching a low of 930 in 1971, with some fluctuations thereafter. The latest provisional results suggest a slight improvement, but the issue of an unfavourable sex ratio persists as a significant concern, demanding continued attention and measures to promote gender equality.

Sex Ratio in India From 1901 to 2021

Sex Ratio of India: States & UTs Data

Sex Ratio Trends in States and UTs From 2001-2011

Overall Sex Ratio – Top Performers

1. Kerala (1084)
2. Tamil Nadu (995)
3. Andhra Pradesh (992)

Overall Sex Ratio – Lowest Performers

1. Haryana (877)
2. Jammu and Kashmir (883)
3. Sikkim (889)

Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) – Top Performers

1. Mizoram (971)
2. Meghalaya (970)
3. Chhattisgarh (964)

Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) – Lowest Performers

1. Haryana (830)
2. Punjab (846)
3. Jammu and Kashmir (859)

Union Territories (UTs) – Top Overall Sex Ratio

1. Puducherry (1038)
2. Lakshadweep (946)
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands (878)

Union Territories (UTs) – Lowest Overall Sex Ratio

1. Daman and Diu (618)
2. Dadra and Nagar Haveli (775)
3. Chandigarh (818)

States and UTs with Declining Overall Sex Ratios

1. Bihar
2. Jammu and Kashmir
3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli
4. Daman and Diu
5. Lakshadweep

Improving Child Sex Ratios (0-6 years) in Census 2011

1. Punjab (798 to 846, +57 points)
2. Haryana (819 to 830, +11 points)
3. Himachal Pradesh (896 to 906, +10 points)
4. Chandigarh (845 to 867, +22 points)
5. Gujarat (883 to 886, +3 points)
6. Tamil Nadu (942 to 946, +4 points)
7. Mizoram (964 to 971, +7 points)
8. Andaman & Nicobar Islands (957 to 966, +9 points)

Telangana Demographics (formed in 2014)

• Total Population: 351.94 lakhs
• Male Population: 177.04 lakhs
• Female Population: 174.90 lakhs
• Sex Ratio (Female per 1000 Males): 988
• Child Sex Ratio: 933

Sex Ratio in India 2023

According to the National Family Health Survey, 2020-21 (NFHS-5) India’s Sex ratio in 2023 is 1020 females per 1000 males. In the rural area, the Sex ratio is 1037, and in the urban areas, it’s 985 females to 1000 males.

National Family Health Survey-5

Key findings from the NFHS-5 survey reveal significant demographic trends in India:

Sex Ratio Improvement

The data from 2019-2021 indicates a notable improvement in the sex ratio, with 1,020 women for every 1,000 men, marking the highest sex ratio recorded in NFHS surveys since the first modern synchronous census in 1881.

Sex Ratio at Birth

While the overall sex ratio is positive, it’s important to note that the sex ratio at birth (SRB) is still skewed towards boys compared to the natural SRB, which is 952 girls per 1,000 boys. States like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Maharashtra exhibit lower SRB.

Women and Men in India 2022 Report

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the Women and Men in India 2022 report.

Improvement in Sex Ratio

• India’s expected sex ratio is projected to improve significantly from 943 in 2011 to 952 by 2036, as per the Women and Men in India 2022 report.
• The sex ratio at birth increased by three points from 904 in 2017-19 to 907 in 2018-20, according to the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Gender Disparities in Labor Force

• Women’s participation in the labour force remains low in India, hindering their financial independence.
• India’s Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for those above 15 years of age has been rising since 2017-2018, but women significantly lag behind men.
• In 2021-22, the LFPR was 77.2% for males but only 32.8% for females, with no improvement in this disparity over the years.
• The low participation of women in the labor force is attributed to social factors, educational qualifications, and gender discrimination in wages and opportunities.
• Wage disparities persist, with men in rural areas earning more than women in urban areas for similar work.

Population Trends

• India’s population growth has been on a downward trend, decreasing from 2.2% in 1971 to 1.1% in 2021, and is projected to fall further to 0.58% by 2036.
• The female population share is expected to marginally improve from 48.5% in Census 2011 to 48.8% in 2036.
• Population projections indicate a decline in the population under 15 years of age and an increase in the population above 60 years by 2036. This shift will reshape the population pyramid.
• The age and sex structure of the population significantly impact gender-related issues, influenced by trends in fertility and mortality.
• Gender disparities in access to healthcare persist, with women facing challenges due to limited access to resources, decision-making power, and mobility.

Age-Specific Fertility Rate

• The age-specific fertility rate, reflecting live births in specific age groups of women per thousand females in that age group, has shown changes.
• For the age groups of 20-24 years and 25-29 years, the fertility rate decreased from 135.4 and 166.0 to 113.6 and 139.6, respectively, between 2016 and 2020. This decrease is associated with economic independence through education and employment.
• However, the same indicator for the 35-39 years age group increased from 32.7 in 2016 to 35.6 in 2020.
• The mean age for marriage has marginally improved from 22.1 years in 2017 to 22.7 years in 2020.
• Other positive trends include a decline in infant mortality rate and under-five mortality rate, as indicated by data from the National Family Health Survey.

Reasons for Declining Sex Ratio in India

The declining sex ratio in India can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Son Preference: Cultural preference for male children leads to sex-selective practices.
• Gender Disparity at Birth: More male births compared to female births.
• Female Infanticide: Despite being illegal, it still occurs in some regions.
• Sex Determination Testing: Preference for males leads to sex determination tests and potential pregnancy termination.
• Ineffective Laws: Challenges in implementing laws against sex selection.
• Small Family Norms: Some couples opt for smaller families if they have a male child.
• Dowry Practices: Economic pressures due to dowry can lead to neglect of female children.
• Surplus of Males: Imbalance can lead to difficulties in finding suitable partners for men, resulting in social issues.

Steps Taken to Improve Sex Ratio

Several steps have been taken in India to improve the sex ratio, including:

Legal Ban on Sex Determination

The PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act strictly prohibits sex determination during pregnancy, aiming to prevent selective abortions based on gender.

National Girl Child Day

In 2012, January 24th was declared as National Girl Child Day, emphasizing the importance of the girl child and promoting gender equality.

Sabla Scheme

Launched on International Women’s Day in 2011, the Sabla scheme focuses on empowering adolescent girls by promoting self-development, improving their health and nutrition, and raising awareness about various aspects of health, hygiene, nutrition, and reproductive health.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme

Initiated in 2015 in Panipat, Haryana, this scheme has three main objectives:

• Prevention of gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
• Ensuring the survival and protection of the girl child.
• Promoting education and active participation of the girl child.

These measures represent a concerted effort by the Indian government and various stakeholders to combat gender discrimination and improve the sex ratio, with a particular focus on empowering and safeguarding the rights of girls and women. Check here all about the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme in detail.

Sex Ratio in India UPSC

India’s sex ratio has steadily declined since 1901, with the 2011 census reporting 943 females per 1,000 males. Root causes include cultural son preference, gender disparities at birth, and sex-selective practices like female infanticide. Measures to address this issue include banning sex determination during pregnancy, promoting National Girl Child Day, and schemes like Sabla and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. Despite efforts, gender disparities persist in labour force participation and healthcare access. India’s future demographics indicate declining population growth and an evolving age structure, underscoring the ongoing need to combat gender imbalances and promote equality.

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