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According to the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5, 2019-21), the sex ratio of India in 2025 is 1020 females per 1000 males. This marks an improvement from the 2011 Census, which recorded 943 females per 1000 males. A good sex ratio shows Progress in addressing gender imbalances, driven by improved healthcare, education, and awareness, though challenges like regional disparities and sex-selective practices persist.

 Also, read – Women in India

What is Sex Ratio of India? 

Sex ratio is the ratio of females to males in a population, typically expressed as the number of Females per 1000 Males. For example, a sex ratio of 1005 means there are 1005 females for every 1000 Males.• India has a history of continuous Census taking since 1872. The first census was conducted in 1881. Since then, it has been conducted every ten years without a break, with the exception of a delay in the 2011 census.  It can be calculated by the given formula :

Sex Ratio = (Number of Males / Number of Females) × 1000

Sex Ratio of India 2025 Findings

Sex ratio of India has remarkably improved from the last assessment, NFHS-4, to the current assessment, NFHS-5 (since 2011, there has been no government census). An overview of the sex ratio of India is given below:

Also, read Demographic Distress

Sex Ratio of India 2011 Census 

As per Census 2011, India’s population was 121.06 Cr, and females constituted 48.5% of it. Findings of the 2011 census are given below :

• According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males) at all India levels was 943, and the same for rural and urban areas were 949 and 929, respectively. 

• The sex ratio for the 0-19 age group was 908, while that of the 60+ age group was 1033.
• The sex ratio in the economically active age group (15-59 years) was 944.  
• sex ratio in the age group 0-6 years has increased in rural areas from 906 in 2001 to 923 in 2011. However, the ratio declined in urban areas in the same period.  
• The SRS 2014 showed that the women’s mean age at marriage at all India levels was 22.3 years, and the same in rural and urban areas, 21.8 years and 23.2 years respectively. 
•  As per National Sample Survey (July 2011- June 2012), 11.5%of  households in rural areas and 12.4% of households in urban areas are female-headed households.
• As per the 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh was India’s most populous state, surpassing Brazil’s population.

Sex Ratio Status of India 2025

Here are some of the latest figures from sources such as the NFHS-5 (National Family Health Survey), as well as other demographic estimates and projections.

Also, read – Women’s notes UPSC.

Census of India 2011 Data

Highest Sex Ratio State in India (2011 Census)

According to the Census of India 2011, Kerala recorded the highest sex ratio among all Indian states. This reflects the state’s progressive social indicators and focus on women’s education and healthcare. Kerala’s consistent emphasis on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment has resulted in the most balanced gender ratio in India. The state’s social development model serves as an example for other states.

Highest Sex Ratio District in India (2011 Census)

At the district level, Mahe (Puducherry) recorded the highest sex ratio in India as per the 2011 Census.  Mahe’s exceptionally high sex ratio is attributed to its close cultural ties with Kerala and the effective implementation of women-centric welfare policies.

Lowest Sex Ratio State in India (2011 Census)

Haryana recorded the lowest sex ratio among all Indian states in the 2011 Census, highlighting persistent gender imbalance challenges. Haryana’s skewed sex ratio stems from social factors such as preference for male children and declining female birth rates. The state has since initiated several awareness campaigns to correct this imbalance.

Lowest Sex Ratio District in India (2011 Census)

Daman district in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu reported the lowest sex ratio in India in the 2011 Census. The industrial nature of Daman has led to a heavy influx of male workers, resulting in an unusually low sex ratio. However, the population structure does not necessarily reflect native demographics.

Highest Sex Ratio Union Territory in India (2011 Census)

Among Union Territories, Puducherry had the highest sex ratio as per the 2011 Census. Puducherry’s high sex ratio is largely influenced by social development patterns similar to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, emphasizing gender equality and women’s welfare.

Lowest Sex Ratio Union Territory in India (2011 Census)

Daman and Diu recorded the lowest sex ratio among all Union Territories as per the 2011 Census. The low sex ratio in Daman and Diu is primarily driven by labor migration patterns and limited permanent female population, not necessarily by gender imbalance among native residents.

Sex Ratio of India  2011 State-wise 

Sex Ratio 20of India in 11 shows an upward trend compared to the Census 2001 data. The 2001 Census recorded 933 females per 1000 males. The Sex Ratio of India  2011 State-wise are as follows;

Sex Ratio of India 2001 Census

Census of India, 2001 is the fourteenth Census in the continuous series and sixth since India gained independence in 1947. • Census in India is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948. Findings of the 2001 census are given below :

• 2001 Census of India reported a national sex ratio of 1,072 males per 1,000 females, a slight improvement from 1,079 in 1991.

• Kerala: Recorded a favourable sex ratio of 945 males per 1,000 females, reflecting better gender balance.

• Haryana: Showed a significant gender imbalance with 1,161 males per 1,000 females.

State Wise Sex Ratio of India 2025 NFHS-5

State Wise Sex Ratio of India 2025 NFHS-5 are as follows;

Reason For the Improved Sex Ratio of India

Improved sex ratio of 1020 females per 1000 males is the result of the accumulated effect over the year. Several factors contribute to this positive trend in India given below:

• Government initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) have been implemented to address the issue of the skewed sex ratio.  The campaign is one such initiative to improve the sex ratio of India.
• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. The law was enacted in 1994 to prevent the practice of sex-selective abortions. The law imposes strict penalties on doctors and healthcare providers who engage in the practice.
• PCPNDT Act has been successful in reducing the number of sex-selective abortions in India.  The law prohibits the use of technology for sex determination and sex-selective abortions.
• Increased female education and better healthcare access, especially in rural areas, have reduced female mortality rates, which has led to a balanced sex ratio.

• Awareness campaigns and gender-sensitive education have an important role in gradually shifting societal attitudes away from son preference, particularly in states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, which report higher sex ratios. 

• Lower fertility rates, particularly among educated women, have reduced the pressure to have male children. The Women and Men in India 2023 report highlights a decline in the Age-Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR) in key age groups.

Challenge With Sex Ratio in India

Despite improvement in the Sex ratio of India as per the NFHS 5 (2019-2021) data, there are the following persistent challenges as given below:

• Continue Sex-Selective Practices: Despite the improved overall sex ratio, the SRB( Sex ratio at birth) of 929 reflects ongoing son preference and sex-selective abortions. 
• Poor Enforcement of Laws: The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act face inconsistent enforcement. For example, Haryana’s SRB dropped to 910 in 2024, an eight-year low, partly due to relaxed enforcement.

• Regional and Urban-Rural Disparities: Northern states (e.g., Haryana, Punjab) continue to lag behind southern states (e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu) due to stronger patriarchal norms. 
• Son Meta Preference: Deep-rooted cultural beliefs favouring male children for ian inheritance, lineage, and economic support persist, particularly in northern and western states. This drives practices like female infanticide and neglect, impacting child-sex ratios.

• Economic Pressures and Dowry: Dowry practices and the perception of daughters as financial burdens exacerbate sex-selective practices, especially in economically stressed households.

• No Census since 2011 Data Reliability Concerns: NFHS-5’s sex ratio estimates, based on a sample of 636,699 households, may overestimate female numbers due to methodological issues.
• Social Consequences: A skewed sex ratio leads to issues like “marriage squeeze,” increased violence against women, and potential social unrest.

• Health and Nutrition Disparities: NFHS-5 notes higher female life expectancy (69.6 years vs. 66.4 for men in 2010–14), contributing to the overall sex ratio improvement.

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