The sex ratio in India has been declining over the years. In 2011, the sex ratio at birth was 927 females per 1000 males. This means that for every 1000 boys born, there were only 927 girls born. This is a decline from the sex ratio at birth in 2001, which was 933 females per 1000 males.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the decline in the sex ratio in India. One factor is the preference for sons over daughters. This preference is often due to cultural and economic factors. Sons are seen as being more valuable than daughters because they can carry on the family name and inherit property. They are also seen as being more likely to provide financial support for their parents in old age.
Another factor that has contributed to the decline in the sex ratio is the practice of female infanticide. Female infanticide is the killing of female babies at or shortly after birth. It is a practice that is still prevalent in some parts of India.
The decline in the sex ratio in India is a serious problem. It has a number of negative consequences, including:
- A shortage of women in the population. This can lead to social problems, such as an increase in the number of crimes against women.
- A shortage of women in the workforce. This can lead to a loss of productivity and economic growth.
- A shortage of women in the education system. This can lead to a loss of human capital and a decrease in the quality of life for all Indians.
The Indian government has taken a number of steps to address the problem of the declining sex ratio. These steps include:
- Cracking down on the practice of female infanticide.
- Promoting education and employment opportunities for women.
- Raising awareness of the problem of the declining sex ratio.
These steps are important, but they are not enough. The Indian government needs to do more to address the root causes of the problem, such as the preference for sons over daughters. It also needs to provide more support for families who have daughters.
The decline in the sex ratio in India is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The Indian government needs to take more steps to address the problem, including cracking down on the practice of female infanticide, promoting education and employment opportunities for women, and raising awareness of the problem.