“The sex ratio of India tells a story beyond numbers — one of culture, inequality, and the silent struggle for gender balance.”

What is Sex Ratio of India?

• Sex ratio is the ratio of females to males in a population, typically expressed as the number of Females per 1000 Males. 
• For example, a sex ratio of 1005 means there are 1005 females for every 1000 Males.
• India has a history of continuous Census taking since 1872. The first census was conducted in 1881. Since then, it has been conducted every ten years without a break, with the exception of a delay in the 2011 census. It can be calculated by the given formula: Sex Ratio = (Number of Males / Number of Females) × 1000

Sex Ratio of India as per Census 2001:

• In 2001, the sex ratio stood at 933 for the whole of India.
• The only state to show a higher number of females per 1000 males was Kerala with a sex ratio of 1,058.
• Among Union territories Pondicherry had the highest sex ratio of 1,001. It was the only UT to reach a figure above 950.
• In the Indian context a sex ratio of 950 and above can be considered as favourable to females. 
• The other states were Chhattisgarh 989, Tamil Nadu 987, Andhra Pradesh 978, Manipur 978, Meghalaya 972, Orissa 972, Himachal Pradesh 968, Karnataka 965, Uttaranchal 962 and Goa 961.
• The sex ratio of 933 in 2001 Census was an improvement over the figure for 1991.
• The sex ratio in India has always been unfavourable to females. It showed a continuous decline from 1901 to 1941, improved marginally in 1951 then dropped steeply to 930 in 1971.
• The sharpest decline is seen during the period 1961-1971 after which the sex ratio has been fluctuating around this figure.

Sex Ratio of India 2011 Census:

• As per Census 2011, India’s population was 121.06 Crore. Females population constituted 48.5% of it. The key takeaways of the 2011 census are given below:
• According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males) at all India levels was 943 and the same for rural and urban areas were 949 and 929, respectively.
• The sex ratio for the 0-19 age group was 908. For the 60+ age group, the sex ratio was 1033.
• The sex ratio in the economically active age group (15-59 years) was 944.
• In the age group of 0-6 years, sex ratio increased in rural areas from 906 in 2001 to 923 in 2011.
• However, the ratio declined in urban areas in the same period.
• As per the 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh had the highest population among the Indian states, surpassing Brazil’s population.

Sex Ratio of India as per NFHS-5:

• According to the National Family Health Survey – 5 (NFHS-5, 2019-21), the sex ratio of India is 1020 females per 1000 males. 
• This marks an improvement from the 2011 Census, which recorded 943 females per 1000 males. 
• A good sex ratio shows Progress in addressing gender imbalances, driven by improved healthcare, education, and awareness. 
• Sex ratio of India has remarkably improved from the previous assessment of NFHS-4.

An overview of the sex ratio of India is given below:

Sex Ratio in India as per Civil Registration Data (CRS):

• Although CRS data is not as comprehensive as the Census, it still provides valuable real-time insights into demographic trends.
• According to the CRS Report 2022, Bihar recorded the lowest sex ratio at birth in India – 891 girls per 1,000 boys.
• This figure marks the third consecutive year of decline in Bihar’s sex ratio.
  • To illustrate the trend, Bihar’s ratio fell from 964 in 2020 to 908 in 2021, and now 891 in 2022.
  • Significantly, Bihar remains the only state to show a consistent decline over three years.

• Meanwhile, several other states also reported alarmingly low ratios in 2022, including:
  • Maharashtra – 906 girls per 1,000 boys
  • Telangana – 907 girls per 1,000 boys
  • Gujarat – 908 girls per 1,000 boys
• On the positive side, Nagaland recorded the highest sex ratio at birth, with 1,068 girls per 1,000 boys.
• Arunachal Pradesh (1,036) and Ladakh (1,027) followed closely, reflecting better gender balance in these regions.
• Overall, the CRS 2022 data underscores India’s mixed progress. While some states move toward equality, others continue to face a worrying gender imbalance at birth.

Sex Ratio in India – 2001 to NFHS-5:

Major Reasons Behind Low Sex Ratio in India:

• Cultural preference for son: Society often favours male children, leading to a persistent cultural preference for sons over daughters.
• Sense of Financial security: Families continue to associate sons with financial security, inheritance, and the continuation of the family lineage.
• Daughter as economic burden: Many people still view daughters as an economic burden due to practices like dowry and high marriage expenses.
• Sex selective abortion: Sex-selective abortions have increased, as access to prenatal sex determination technology has grown despite strict legal restrictions.
• Authorities often struggle to enforce laws, such as the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, allowing illegal sex determination to persist.
• Health and nutrition disparities: Health and nutrition disparities affect girls disproportionately. It results in higher female infant and child mortality rates.
• Patriarchal nature of Indian society: Patriarchal attitudes remain deeply rooted, shaping decisions within households and influencing reproductive behaviour.
• Slow social awareness campaigns: Awareness campaigns fail to change attitudes quickly, especially in regions with low literacy and poor governance.
• Migration: Migration patterns and skewed population structures in some states also intensify the imbalance between male and female populations.

Conclusion:

India’s sex ratio reflects not just demographic trends but also the nation’s social mindset. As we move forward, addressing gender imbalance must remain a national priority. Government schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao have started creating awareness, yet consistent efforts at the grassroots level are crucial. Moreover, empowering women through education, healthcare access, and equal job opportunities will strengthen both families and the economy.

Importantly, society must shift from viewing daughters as liabilities to recognizing them as equal contributors to growth and progress. With the combined efforts of policymakers, communities, and individuals, India can achieve a more balanced and inclusive demographic future.

In conclusion, improving the sex ratio is not merely a statistical goal. It is a moral and developmental imperative. A nation that values its daughters equally builds a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous future for all.

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