According to Civil Registration System (CRS) data, the sex ratio at birth in Haryana will decline to 910 in 2024, the lowest since 2016 when it was 900.
Sex Ratio in India
Census 2011
- Sex ratio at all India level was 943 and for rural and urban areas it is 949 and 929 respectively.
- Sex ratio for 0-19 age group was 908 while for 60+ age group it was 1033.
- Sex ratio in economically active age group (15-59 years) was 944.
- Sex ratio was highest in Kerala (1084), followed by Puducherry (1037) and lowest in Daman & Diu (618), followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli (774) and then Chandigarh (818).
National Family Health Survey 2021
- As per NFHS-5, the overall sex ratio at birth in India was 929.
- Sex ratio of the country’s population was estimated at 1020.
- Sex ratio is an important indicator of the status of women and gender equality in society.
- At the national level, sex ratio at birth in India was recorded at 929 as per National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) published in 2021.
Declining Sex Ratio at Birth in Haryana
Status
- Sex ratio at birth in 2024 was 910, the lowest in 8 years as against 923 in 2019.
- Of the total 5,16,402 children born in 2024:
- Boys: 52.35%
- Girls: 47.64%
Recent Trends
Sex Ratio in 2024
- A total of 2,70,354 boys and 2,46,048 girls were born, taking the sex ratio to 910.
- In 2023: Sex ratio was 916.
- In 2019: It had reached 923, the best in recent years.
- Decline: The declining trend in sex ratio after 2019 is a matter of concern.
Definition of Sex Ratio
- Sex ratio at birth: The number of girls born per 1,000 boys.
- Overall sex ratio: The number of women per 1,000 men in a population.
Why India has historically had a sex ratio imbalance
- Cultural preference for sons: Sons were preferred to carry forward the family name, perform religious rituals, and provide financial support in old age.
- This led to the neglect of daughters, who were seen as a financial burden due to the dowry system.
- Gender discrimination: Girls have historically suffered neglect in terms of nutrition, education, and health care, leading to higher mortality rates among women.
- Female infanticide: In some areas female babies were either abandoned or killed because of their low value.
- Sex-selective abortion: Advances in medical technology such as ultrasound made possible the practice of sex-selective abortion, resulting in a disproportionate number of boys being born.
- Economic factors: In agrarian societies, the labour of sons was considered more valuable for agricultural work, thereby reinforcing the preference for boys.
Government initiatives to improve sex ratio
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Launched in 2015, this campaign aims to eliminate gender-based discrimination, promote the value of girl children, and improve access to education for girls. It also focuses on raising awareness about the importance of girl child welfare and preventing female foeticide.
- Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994: This law prohibits sex determination and sex-selective abortion. It aims to prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technologies for sex-based sex selection.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: This is a savings scheme for girl children, which encourages families to save for their daughters’ future education and marriage. It promotes positive perceptions towards girls.
- Maternity benefits: The government has introduced maternity benefits through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which provides financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, aimed at reducing the economic burden on families and supporting maternal and child health.
- National Health Mission (NHM): This program focuses on improving health services for women, including maternal health, to reduce the mortality rate of women and girls.
- Awareness campaigns and legal reforms: The government runs awareness campaigns to make people aware about the importance of gender equality.