Indian Sex Ratio 2024 vs 2025 Estimate: Progress, Data & Challenges

In 2024, the Indian sex ratio 2024 stood at 100 women per 106.506 men, marking significant progress over the years. However, there remains a notable disparity across Indian states. In India, gender imbalance has been a considerable concern for a long time, affecting social stability and gender equity. Recent 2024 data reveal trends that point to progress and persistent issues in achieving gender balance.

The Indian sex ratio has shown signs of gradual improvement, with the estimated 2025 ratio at 100 women per 106.443 men, compared to 100 women per 106.5 men in 2024. This shift reflects positive outcomes from national efforts like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the PCPNDT Act, but deep-seated gender biases still challenge long-term balance. This blog explores national and state-level trends, rural-urban disparities, and projections shaping India’s demographic future.

Types of Sex Ratios

Sex ratio refers to the proportion of males to females in a population. It can be categorized into four distinct types, each representing a different stage of human development:

1. Primary Sex Ratio (PSR): This ratio reflects the proportion of males to females at the time of conception. It encompasses all pregnancies, including those that may result in abortion, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
2. Secondary Sex Ratio (SSR): Often referred to as the “natural sex ratio,” this ratio is determined at birth. Historically, most populations exhibit a slightly higher proportion of male births.
3. Tertiary Sex Ratio (TSR): This ratio focuses on the proportion of males to females among young adults, typically in their 20s.
4. Quaternary Sex Ratio (QSR): Also known as the “adult sex ratio,” this ratio examines the proportion of males to females within the older adult population, usually individuals aged 60 and above.

Current State of India’s Sex Ratio in 2024

The Indian sex ratio 2024  is calculated as the number of women per 1,000 men, highlighting existing social and gender disparities. Current data reveals that there are 943 women for every 1,000 men.

National Overview of the 2024 Sex Ratio

The Indian population in 2024 was approximately 1.44 billion, with 698.29 million females and 743.39 million males. Women account for 48.42%  of the population, resulting in a male surplus of 45.71 million. 

Despite this imbalance, the gender ratio has shown significant improvement over time. In 2011, there were 943 women for every 1,000 men; in 2001, this figure was 933 women per 1,000 men. Looking ahead, projections for 2036 suggest a ratio of 952 women per 1,000 men, indicating steady progress.

Regional Disparities

Rural and urban areas display contrasting trends in the sex ratio. According to the 2020-2021 NFHS-5 data, the rural Indian sex ratio was 1,037 females per 1,000 males compared to urban areas, which reported 985 females per 1,000 males.

State-Wise Sex Ratio in 2024

Sex ratios vary significantly across states. Kerala currently has the highest ratio, while Haryana ranks at the bottom. These disparities underscore the need for targeted state-level interventions. The table below illustrates these differences clearly.

State/ Union Territory	NHFS-5		2011 Census		2001 Census		Change (2001 to 2011)
	Rank (Sex ratio at birth)	Sex ratio at birth	Sex ratio	Child sex ratio	Sex ratio	Child sex ratio	Sex ratio	Child sex ratio
Lakshadweep	UT1	1051	947	911	948	959	(−1)	(−48)
Tripura	S1	1028	960	957	948	966	(12)	(−9)
Meghalaya	S2	989	989	970	972	973	(17)	(−3)
Uttarakhand	S3	984	963	890	962	908	(1)	(−18)
Arunachal Pradesh	S4	979	938	972	893	964	(45)	(8)
Karnataka	S5	978	973	948	965	946	(8)	(2)
Jammu and Kashmir	UT2	976	889	862	892	941	(−3)	(−79)
West Bengal	S6	973	950	956	934	960	(16)	(−4)
Mizoram	S7	969	976	970	935	964	(41)	(6)
Sikkim	S8	969	890	957	875	963	(15)	(−6)
Manipur	S9	967	992	930	978	957	(14)	(−27)
Assam	S10	964	958	962	935	965	(23)	(−3)
Chhattisgarh	S11	960	991	969	989	975	(2)	(−6)
Puducherry	UT3	959	1037	967	1001	967	(36)
Madhya Pradesh	S12	956	931	918	919	932	(12)	(−14)
Gujarat	S13	955	919	890	920	883	(−1)	(7)
Kerala	S14	951	1084	964	1058	960	(26)	(4)
Nagaland	S15	945	931	943	900	964	(31)	(−21)
Uttar Pradesh	S16	941	912	902	898	916	(14)	(−14)
Andhra Pradesh	S17	934	993	939	978	961	(15)	(−22)
India		929	943	919	933	927	(10)	(−8)
Delhi	UT4	923	868	871	821	868	(47)	(3)
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	UT5	914	876	968	846	957	(30)	(11)
Maharashtra	S18	913	929	894	922	913	(7)	(−19)
Bihar	S19	908	918	935	919	942	(−1)	(−7)
Punjab	S20	904	895	846	876	798	(19)	(48)
Jharkhand	S21	899	948	948	941	965	(7)	(−17)
Telangana	S22	894	988	–	–	–	–	–
Odisha	S23	894	979	941	972	953	(7)	(−12)
Haryana	S24	893	879	834	861	819	(18)	(15)
Rajasthan	S25	891	928	888	921	909	(7)	(−21)
Tamil Nadu	S26	878	996	943	987	942	(9)	(1)
Himachal Pradesh	S27	875	972	909	968	896	(4)	(13)
Goa	S28	838	973	942	961	938	(12)	(4)
Chandigarh	UT6	838	818	880	777	845	(41)	(35)
Dadra and Nagar Haveli	UT7	817	774	926	812	979	(−38)	(−53)
Daman and Diu	UT8	817	618	904	710	926	(−92)	(−22)

Influences on Current Trends

The FMCG sector is constantly evolving, driven by changes in consumer preferences and market demands. Various factors, such as technology, social behaviours, and economic shifts, play a major role in shaping these trends. There are some important trends in the Indian sex ratio that you must be aware of: 

• Deeply rooted cultural preferences for sons persist, leading to practices like sex-selective abortions and female infanticide, particularly in rural areas. 
• Economic growth has had mixed influences on the Indian sex ratio. Although there has been an increase in employment prospects and education for all women linked with enhanced gender proportions, economic stress often leads to son preference in all financially challenged households.
• The latest endeavours aimed at excluding all these methods have started to change societal manners after reports showed improvements in the sex ratio that went from 918 back in 2014-2015 to 933 in 2022-2023. 

Factors Influencing the Indian Sex Ratio 2024

The Indian sex ratio 2024 remains a significant concern for many, shaped by government efforts, access to healthcare, and cultural norms. Below are some of the primary factors influencing it:

Cultural and Social Norms

In India, social and cultural standards shape gender preferences, rooted deeply in historical beliefs and methods. The family’s sons are pictured as heirs and caregivers and are expected to support their parents during their old age. This leads to a strong son preference, especially in patriarchal communities. 

The daughters are expected to marry and then move into their husbands’ residences, restricting their value within the natal family. Many societal expectations have shown that men are considered breadwinners and women manage the domestic duties. 

These beliefs have compounded due to various economic facets. Although many initiatives have been taken to improve the status of female children, changing all these deep-rooted cultural standards is still challenging to attain gender equality in the nation. 

Healthcare Access and Prenatal Care

Healthcare plays a massive part in lessening all the gender-based disparities in the nation. Access to all healthcare services, specifically prenatal care, is crucial for enhancing child and maternal health outcomes. However, in many rural sections, limited awareness, deficient infrastructure, and even a lack of trained specialists have increased the mortality rate among females.

So, by educating all families about effective pregnancy care and promoting the value of female health, all such distinctions can be managed instantly. Several approaches, such as the “Ayushman Bharat” policy, can increase women’s healthcare access.

Policy and Awareness Campaigns

The Indian government has launched numerous programs, such as “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,” to protect girls and promote their education. While these policies have positive outcomes, their implementation remains inconsistent, especially in rural areas.

Awareness campaigns encourage people to reject harmful practices like gender-based abortions and foster a culture of valuing daughters. For sustained change, such efforts need to be persistent and widespread. Addressing these issues is essential for India to achieve a fairer and more balanced society.

Socio-Economic Implications of the Sex Ratio

The Indian sex ratio 2024 has far-reaching effects, influencing various aspects of society, from family dynamics to economic development. Below are the key consequences of an imbalanced ratio:

Impact on Workforce Participation

A balanced population plays a vital role in driving economic growth, and the Telugu sex ratio 2024 highlights both progress and challenges in this regard. States like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana—key Telugu-speaking regions—have shown improved overall figures, with sex ratios of 1,045 and 1,049 females per 1,000 males, respectively.

These gains in the Telugu sex ratio 2024 indicate a positive shift, yet disparities persist, particularly in child and urban demographics, due to ongoing gender bias. Comparatively, states with more balanced ratios, such as Kerala (1,084 females per 1,000 males), often experience higher female workforce participation, which boosts productivity. To strengthen the gains reflected in the Telugu sex ratio 2024, focused initiatives in awareness, legal enforcement, and inclusive development are crucial. Sustained efforts will be key to improving the Telugu sex ratio 2024 across all age and social groups..

Empowering and educating women is essential to boosting economic growth and ensuring equal opportunities for all. Statistics have shown an increase in female labour force participation, which went from 23.13% to a whopping 37% between 2022 and 2023, and it increased after rural women joined the workforce.

Marriage Demographics

Fewer females within a region cause issues in the marriage market. Men might face difficulty finding marriage partners, leading to changes within the family dynamics and marriage delays. In some areas, this imbalance has led to harmful practices like “bride trafficking,” which disrupts social harmony and violates human rights.

Broader Societal Effects

The Indian sex ratio in 2024 also impacts education. In areas with fewer females, families are less likely to invest in their daughters’ education, which significantly worsens gender inequality. Healthcare systems face challenges as imbalances impact women’s and men’s well-being. Moreover, communities with fewer women may experience reduced female representation in leadership roles, increased social unrest, and higher corruption rates.

Historical Perspective of Sex Ratio Trends in India

The sex ratio in India, an essential demographic indicator, has shown a consistent decline since 1901, as revealed by Census data. Globally, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is typically measured as the number of boys born per 100 girls. However, in India, the metric differs, as it records the number of female births per 1,000 male births. This declining trend is not confined to specific age groups but highlights a broader demographic imbalance, with the overall sex ratio dropping from 972 in 1901 to 940 in 2011.

The historical data reflect India’s deep-rooted gender bias against females. In the decades following independence, the sex ratio witnessed a significant decline, reaching a low of 930 in 1971. While some improvements have been observed in recent years, the overall sex ratio remains unfavorable, emphasizing the persistent challenge of gender inequality. This issue continues to demand urgent and sustained efforts to achieve gender parity.

Sex Ratio Trends (Selected Years)

Category	1951	1991	2001	2011
Sex Ratio (Rural)	965	–	–	946
Sex Ratio (Urban)	860	–	–	929
Sex Ratio (India)	946	–	–	943
Child Sex Ratio	–	945	927	–

Additional Insights

• The natural sex ratio at birth globally is approximately 105 boys for every 100 girls, often represented as 950 girls per 1,000 boys in India.
• Despite a rise in per capita income, the Indian sex ratio has continued to decline. This trend may be attributed to the increased affordability of sex-selective technologies.
• To address this issue, the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act was enacted in 1994. This law aims to prevent sex-selective practices and regulate the use of prenatal diagnostic methods.

Government Efforts and Future Prospects

The primary objective of society and the government is to enhance the Indian sex ratio 2024. Many upcoming approaches and policies seek to ensure long-lasting progress through various measures and technology.

Recent Policies and Initiatives

The Indian Government has introduced countless initiatives, such as the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and Sabla Scheme, which aim to increase the education and health of girls and reduce gender inequality. Legislation and education also play vital parts in enhancing gender proportions. Improving academic access for girls has significantly increased workforce participation.

Female labour force participation increased from 23.3% to 41.7% between 2023 and 2024. One well-known campaign that targeted “gender equity” is the “LahuKaLagaan,” which has nullified the tax on all sanitary napkins. Such initiatives raised awareness, displaying the optimistic effects of collective measures to attain gender equality.

Role of Technology and Data

Technology plays a significant role in addressing gender-related problems. Tools are available to track sex and birth ratio data, which helps identify areas that require intervention. Various social media campaigns use online workshops, infographics, and videos to spread awareness about gender equality. Success stories from states like Rajasthan and Haryana show how local community efforts combined with digital tools can yield positive results. In addition, the PCPNDT Act has led to many technological improvements, such as online monitoring of all ultrasound clinics, which reduces all sex-selective abortions.

Vision for 2030 and Beyond

India aims to achieve a balanced sex ratio by 2030. Projections indicate gradual improvements if current actions are effectively extended and maintained. Some of the upcoming approaches include:

• Using big data and AI to address gender disparities
• Promoting the empowerment of girls and increasing women’s representation in administration
• Expanding access to healthcare, especially in rural areas

Community measures are also essential for improving the balance of the Indian sex ratio 2024. Grassroots initiatives can challenge harmful cultural norms and help create a brighter future for all.

Indian Sex Ratio 2025: Estimated Trends and Government Projections

In 2025, the estimated Indian sex ratio stands at 100 women per 106.443 men, reflecting a slight improvement over previous years. This trend suggests progress in gender equity, influenced by government policies, improved access to healthcare, and shifting cultural attitudes. While challenges like sex-selective practices persist, data indicates India is moving gradually toward a more balanced population structure.

This improvement reflects ongoing efforts through government programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, increased access to women’s healthcare, and greater female education. High-performing states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh are expected to maintain strong sex ratios above 1,000.

However, challenges such as urban-rural disparity and gender-biased sex selection still affect the overall balance. These projections, while optimistic, reinforce the importance of policy consistency and community action to achieve India’s goal of a balanced sex ratio by 2030.

Conclusion

In 2025, India’s estimated sex ratio stands at 100 women per 106.443 men, showing marginal improvement from 2024 yet still reflecting a notable gender imbalance. While initiatives like the PCPNDT Act, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and improved female education have driven progress, deep-rooted challenges such as sex-selective practices and cultural son preference persist. Achieving true gender balance will require continued vigilance, stronger enforcement, and grassroots-level change across both rural and urban India.

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