The sex ratio at birth for the country has worsened by 3 points to 906 in 2012-2014 from 909 in 2011-13, shows the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical report 2014.
Sex ratio:
- The number of female live births per 1,000 male live births.
About the Study”
- The data shows that the worsening of sex ratio in rural areas is faster than that in the urban areas.
- Rapid urbanisation in rural areas is being cited as the main reason for the worsening sex ratio at birth.
- In case of rural areas it has worsened to 907 in 2012-14 from 910 in 2011-13. While for urban areas it has reduced to 905 in 2012-14 from 906 in 2011-13.
- “The rural sex ratio at birth is catching up faster to the urban sex ratio which is a cause of worry,”said Pronab Sen, former chairman of the National Statistical Commission.
- The ideal sex ratio at birth is 960 female live births per 1,000 male live births. A sex ratio of 907—as in the case of rural areas—essentially means that 53 girl children are being aborted. Hence, there will be 53 less females available per 100 male counterparts.
- For the period 2012-14, Kerala has reported the highest sex ratio at birth (974), while Haryana, the lowest (866).While for the period 2011-13,Chhatisgarh reported highest sex ratio at birth (970), while Haryana, the lowest (864).
- An interesting finding from these results is that tribal areas have a good sex ratio at birth as they are not bound by any social stigma.
- Also it has been found that the sex ratio among the Muslims is better than the Hindus.
Source: Livemint
