Patterns of Sex Ratio and Child Sex Ratio: Global to National Level Scenario of Last Few Decades

Abstract

An effort has been made to examine the patterns of sex ratio and child sex ratio from last few decades in the world with special reference to India. This study is based on secondary data which is obtained from United Nations Population Division, Department of Social and Economic Affairs, World Population Prospects: 1992, 2002 and 2015 Divisions and Census of India. The study identifies the driving factors responsible for global to national level variations in terms of sex ratio and child sex ratio. It has been found that the sex ratio and child sex ratio of the Asian continent are skewed as compared to other parts of the world. Moreover, the present study pointed out that these adverse trends of sex ratio and child sex ratio of Asia are attributable to the introduction of sex-determination technologies, their widening supply and highly practiced sex-selective abortions. It has been observed that the strong patriarchal culture of Asia also contributes towards the widening of this gender gap. In India, the study shows that the north-eastern, eastern and southern parts of the country have reported relatively high child sex ratio as compared to northern, north-western and western parts.