Delhi, the bustling capital known for its modern infrastructure and facilities, is facing a worrying trend. The city’s sex ratio at birth has dropped for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths, released by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and the Office of Chief Registrar (Births & Deaths), Delhi.

The report shows that the sex ratio at birth has fallen to 920 females for every 1,000 males, down from 933 in 2024. Experts say this decline is alarming and has raised concerns about the long-term social impact, with some fearing that Delhi could gradually become a city dominated by men.

What is the sex ratio

Sex ratio is an important social indicator that reflects gender balance in society. A sex ratio of 1,000 means there are equal numbers of males and females. If it’s higher than 1,000, there are more females; if lower, there are more males. Experts say a “normal” sex ratio is around 952, with females naturally being slightly fewer than males.

Delhi’s falling sex ratio

Delhi’s sex ratio at birth had steadily improved from 886 in 2012 to 933 in 2020. But after the pandemic, the trend reversed. The recent decline shows that families may be preferring sons over daughters, often seeing daughters as an economic burden while sons are considered more “valuable.” This mindset has deep social and real-life consequences.

Impact on society

According to Srinivas Goli, Associate Professor at the International Institute for Population Sciences, a declining sex ratio can create a “male marriage squeeze.” This happens when there are more men than women of marriageable age. States like Haryana and Punjab already face a shortage of brides, so families bring women from other states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, or even from abroad. These women often have little freedom in their new households, and in some extreme cases, may face exploitation.

KS James, a former JNU professor, explains that a declining sex ratio reflects deep-rooted gender bias. In the long term, it can disturb the population balance and affect marriage markets.

Does literacy help?

Many assume higher literacy improves the sex ratio, but that isn’t always true. Research shows that the sex ratio at birth is often better among poorer and less-educated families than among middle and upper-class families. Experts say that with fewer children, families may prioritise sons over daughters, even when women are educated.

States with a good sex ratio

Some states have healthier sex ratios. Mizoram had 976 females per 1,000 males, while Kerala had 1,084 females per 1,000 males in 2011. Experts say this is due to matriarchal influences, higher status of women, property ownership, and economic power, which reduce gender bias.

What needs to be done

A declining sex ratio means Delhi is favouring boys over girls, and government intervention is needed. Experts suggest stopping sex-selective abortions, monitoring medical facilities, and adopting successful schemes from other states, like financial incentives, educational scholarships, and fixed deposits for girls, to improve the status of daughters.

This trend isn’t just in Delhi. States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana also show a worsening sex ratio. Research from 2021 notes that all social, religious, and economic groups are affected, showing a worrying preference for sons over daughters.