India sex ratio update - less than 900 in most states

The story: Data on birth and death registrations in 2019 reveals a mixed picture as far as sex ratio at birth (SRB) is concerned. The good news is tha

India sex ratio update - less than 900 in most states

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• The story: Data on birth and death registrations in 2019 reveals a mixed picture as far as sex ratio at birth (SRB) is concerned. The good news is that, unlike in the past, for all states the number of girls born for every 1,000 boys born is not less than 900. The bad news is that many recorded lower ratios than in 2018 or 2017. The data is from the annual report of the Civil Registration System for 2019.
• Details: With most states that had a low SRB in previous years showing an improvement, there is convergence towards a middling level. Assam is one of the few states where an already low ratio of 921 in 2017 has fallen steeply to 903 two years later.

1. Though tribal communities have traditionally had better sex ratios than the rest, Chhattisgarh, a tribal state, has recorded the highest fall in SRB, from 968 in 2017 to 931 in 2019.
2. Among larger states, Telangana has recorded the biggest improvement, from 915 to 953, followed by Uttarakhand, where the SRB went from 929 to 960.

• Natural birth rate: The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that the natural sex ratio at birth is about 952 females to every 1,000 males. It can also be seen as 105 boys born for every 100 girls born. So, the ratio is 1 : 1.05 (girl : boy).

1. Six states have an SRB higher than 952. Arunachal Pradesh had a ratio of 1,024 followed by Nagaland and Mizoram, which recorded 1,001 and 975 respectively, a significant improvement
2. In Kerala, the SRB was still a high 960 but has worsened from 965 in 2017
3. Similarly, in Himachal Pradesh, it has been steadily worsening and is now 918
4. Punjab and Chandigarh, notorious for sex selective abortions, showed significant improvement as did Odisha, where it went up from 930 to 947.

• How to calculate: To avoid any distortions, the SRB is now calculated only after excluding births registered more than a year after the event. The result of this has been that the SRB is not available for states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh since the data on delayed registration was not submitted by these states. A look at the ratio of male and female births registered in these states shows that barring Jharkhand, where it is just 881, it is well above 900 in the rest.
• Summary: It is safe to assume that with the possible exception of Jharkhand, the SRB is over 900 for all states. Even Jharkhand just may have an SRB over 900.

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