World Wide Journal of Multidiscip linary Research and Development

WWJMRD 2017; 3(12): 9-14

www.wwjmrd.com
International Journal
Peer Reviewed Journal Sex Ratio: Trends and Patterns at World Level
Refereed Journal
Indexed Journal
UGC Approved Journal Jitender Saroha
Impact Factor MJIF: 4.25
e-ISSN: 2454-6615 Abstract
The sex ratio represents composition of population in terms of ratio of males and females. There are
Jitender Saroha
Associate Professor,
spatial and temporal variations in sex ratio in the world. Sex ratio depends on determinants of
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar College, fertility, differential mortality of males and females and sex composition of migrants. From 1960 to
University of Delhi, Delhi, 2015 sex ratio hfas declined from 1000 females per 1000 males to 983 females per thousand males.
India This decline is most noteworthy in child sex ratio in Asia. Within Asia the declining trend of sex ratio
is most well established in China, South Asia and Middle East. The trend of declining sex ratio in
India, Pakistan and China is due to neglect of the girl child resulting in their higher mortality at
younger age, high maternal mortality, sex selective female abortions and female infanticide. In case
of Middle East it is due to male dominance in society and male dominated immigration. The
objectives of the present paper are – (i) to describe the trends of sex ratio at continental level and
world level; (ii) to analyse the world patterns of sex ratio; (iii) to highlight trends of child sex ratio in
world, especially in India; and finally (iv) to discuss the trend of declining sex ratio along with its
causes and consequences.

Keywords: Sex ratio, child sex ratio, decline, preferences, dislikes

Introduction
Sex ratio represents the ratio of males and females in a population. It is an important
characteristic feature of population composition. Spatial and temporal variations in sex
composition are indicators of variations in social, cultural and economic conditions and
gender imbalances. As per Census of India, sex ratio is number of females per 1000 males in
the population. In United Nations reports it is generally considered as number of males per
100 females in the population. In some countries, for instance, in New Zealand it is also
calculated in terms of number of females per hundred males. Sex ratio is generally measured
in total population and at the time of birth and also in age specific cohorts such as 0 to 6
years children in India. All these different measurements have their own advantages. Sex
composition of population depends on determinants of fertility and sex ratio at birth,
differential mortality of males and females, sex composition of migrants and differential
enumeration of sexes at the time of census counts.

World Trend of Sex Ratio

Due to changes in socio-cultural, economic, technological and political conditions sex ratio
keeps on changing over space and time (Table 1). In 1960, the overall sex ratio in the world
was in perfect balance i.e. 1:1 or 1000 females per thousand males. But over the period of
time it has declined to 984 females per thousand males. In the old age group of 60 years or
70 years and above female-dominance has continued due to high life expectancy of females
as compared to males and participation of male in risky occupations and crisis situations such
as wars. The sex ratio has declined in all age groups of 0-24 years, 25-69 years and 70 year
and over, population since 1960 to 2015.
Correspondence:
Jitender Saroha
Associate Professor,
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar College,
University of Delhi, Delhi,
India
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World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Table 1: Sex Ratio and Age Specific Sex Ratio in the World Pattern of Sex Ratio
World Population, 1960-2015. Although the sex ratio in Asia is lowest among continents,
there are regional variations. In East and North East region
Year 0 - 24 25 -69 70+ Total the overall trend shows a decline in sex ratio from 951 to
1960 959 1028 1434 1000 943 females per thousand males but this is due to sex ratio
1970 958 1011 1477 995 decline in China only. The sex ratio in China declined from
1980 957 1001 1501 993 938 to 929 females per thousand males between 1990 and
1990 956 992 1452 987 2015. The sex ratio in Japan (1057), South Korea, North
2000 949 993 1479 986 Korea and Mongolia is in favour of females. South Korea
2010 940 992 1333 984 has changed the trend from declining to increasing sex
2015 937 992 1310 983 ratio. In South East Asia region the sex ratio is in favour of
females, for instance, Malaysia (1059), Myanmar (1059),
Source: Knoema.com. Thailand (1044), Vietnam (1024) and Singapore (1025) and
only exceptions are Indonesia (988) and Philippines with
The tertiary sex ratio (proportion of females and males in 997 females per thousand males in 2015. In Central Asia
the total population at the time of enumeration) is also region, again the sex ratio is in favour of females and it is
influenced by secondary sex ratio (sex ratio at the time of lowest in Tajikistan but here also it is 995 females per
birth) and primary sex ratio (sex ratio at the time of thousand males.
conception). In human species i.e. Homo sapiens, like The sex ratio at continental level is highest in Europe. In
majority other species, natural or biological sex ratio is 2015, there were 1055 females per thousand males and in
slightly in favour of males. The natural sex ratio is about Russia it was 1170 females per thousand males. In
952 female births per 1000 male births. As genetically countries like Latvia (1185), Lithuania (1173) and Ukraine
females are stronger after some years due to differential (1172) this ratio is high due to male specific emigration
rates of mortality a balance in sex ratio can come naturally, from these countries. In case of Europe the relative
but due to socio-cultural and other anthropogenic deficiency of males is associated with great losses of males
conditions in many parts of the world the sex ratio in the Second World War. In addition to this, women
imbalance further gets disturbed in favaour of males. empowerment, liberty and equality have also contributed in
The continental level trends in sex ratio indicate that sex this. Further, the ageing of population due to decline in
ratio has remained in favour of females in Europe, North fertility and improvement in health and medical facilities,
America, Latin America and Caribbean countries (Table 2). has increased female life expectancy more than male and
In Oceania region or Pacific region over the period of time result is increased proportion of females in old age
sex ratio has remained in balance between males and population of Europe. Gender justice and ageing of
females. Like Oceania, in Africa the sex ratio is in perfect population are also valid in case of Japan, New Zealand
balance of about 1:1 and it shows a marginal decline in last (1036) and Australia (1010), North America and South
two and half decades. As compared with other continents America.
the sex ratio is lowest in Asia continent. The relative share The figure 1 shows sex ratio variations at world level on
of Asia in world population has increased over the period the basis of pink shades for female dominated areas and
of time and at present it constitutes about 60 per cent blue shades for male dominated areas. The ratios are on the
population of the world. Therefore, the overall sex ratio in basis of male per female and value 1 indicates gender
the world shows a declining trend. The decline is sex ratio balance. For instance the value 0.95 represents 0.95 male
in Europe, North America and Africa has also made some per female or sex ratio of more than 1052 females per
contribution in this overall decline in world sex ratio from thousand males. The pink shaded areas show that in these
993 to 983 females per thousand males. parts males are outnumbered by females. These include
Europe, Russia, Japan, South and North Korea, South East
Table 2: Continent-wise World Sex Ratio Asia, New Zealand, North America, South America
Continents 1980 1990 2000 2010 2015 (excluding Peru and Paraguay), and in Africa (especially
Europe 1051 1065 1064 1058 1055 Zimbabwe, Chad, Mauritania and Sierra Leone). The
North America 1050 1048 1036 1031 1029 darkest blue shades areas represent the lowest sex ratio of
Africa 1017 1004 1003 1001 999 less than 970 females per thousand males. This category
Latin America & sex ratio dominates in Asia mainly in China, South Asia
1011 1023 1028 1032 1033
Caribbean (especially India and Pakistan), Middle East (mainly Qatar,
Oceania (Pacific) 983 996 1004 1000 1000 UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) and Libya
Asia 960 962 962 964 964 and Nigeria in Africa, and Papua New Guinea. In Asia all
World 993 987 986 984 983 these countries are male dominated societies or are
Source: Demographic Year Book, 1982 and Statistical Division of patriarchal and there is strong preference for male child and
UN ESPAC. dislike for girl child. In Middle East countries it is due to
male dominance in immigration.

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World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Fig 1: World Sex Ratio Pattern.

Source: http://cdn3.chartsbin.com/chartimages/l_2337_348c16b07896e722fece14f9d40fa6f0

Child Sex Ratio Oceania (Pacific) 947 942

A better indicator of sex ratio is child sex ratio because it Asia 942 908
depends on contemporary conditions and factors of last few World 951 942
years. At United Nations data the child sex ratio is Source: Statistical Division of UN ESPAC.
represented by ratio of boys aged 0-14 years to girls aged
0-14 years. The child sex ratio at world level was 951 and it In Asia, the most significant decline in child sex ratio has
declined to 942 girls per thousand boys (Table 3). All over been recorded in China, where it declined from 929 in 1990
the world decline was recorded in this except North to 857 in 2015. In case of South Korea it declined from 921
America. But the decline of child sex ratio in Asia is in 1990 to 894 in 2000 but preventive and curative policies
noteworthy. In Asia it has declined to 908 in 2015 from 942 of the country were reflected in its increase to 935 girls per
girls per thousand boys in 1990. thousand boys by 2015. The declining child sex ratio trend
in India is also well established since 1960s. Female
Table 3: Child Sex Ratio at Continental Level, 1990-2015. infanticide, female foeticide and high infant mortality rates
Continents 1990 2015 of girls and patriarchy are the main causes for decline in
Europe 954 949 sex ratio in China and South Asia. The world pattern of
North America 953 958 child sex ratio indicates worldwide dominance of male
Africa 979 947 child at the time of birth (Figure 2).
Latin America & Caribbean 970 960

Figure 2: Sex Ratio at Birth.

Source: http://debitage.net/humangeography/images/Sex_world.png

Trend of Sex Ratio in India general decline in the country throughout the twentieth
Indian population is characterised by a deficit of females century except for on two occasions; first, when the 1951
over males and this deficit has been widening since the turn census revealed an improvement in the sex ratio by one
of the last century. It has also been a matter of investigation point over 1941, and the second, when the 1981 census saw
and research among social scientists and policy makers an improvement by four points over 1971census data. The
alike. In India the sex ratio is measured in terms of number Census of India-2011 also shows an improvement in sex
of females per thousand males and this ratio has recorded a ratio by ten points over the 2001 data (Table 4).
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World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Table 4: Trend of Sex Ratio in India (1901-2011) 1991 927

2001 933
Census Year Sex Ratio
2011 943
1901 972
1911 964 Source: India 2017, P-15.
1921 955
1931 950 The improvements in sex ratio in the last three decades
1941 945 have brought some relief to the scholars. However, what is
1951 946 still worrisome for many is the fact that sex ratio among
1961 941 children in the age group of 0-6 years has undergone a
1971 930 drastic decline from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and 919 in
1981 934 2011 (Figure 3).

Fig 3: Trend of Sex Ratio and Child Sex Ratio in India

Source: http://www.jagranjosh.com/imported/images/E/Articles/1901-to-20111.jpg

Causes of Low and Declining Sex Ratio sex ratio (0-6 years) in India from 964 in 1971 to 919 in
Some of the important factors responsible for low sex ratio 2011 cannot be explained by this logic and it means
in China and South Asia are following: technological and socio-cultural, economic and political
factors are mainly responsible for this sudden decline in
Natural Sex Ratio child sex ratio. In 1961 the male infant mortality rate was
It is a biological fact that in human species more males are 122 and female infant mortality rate was 108 per thousand.
born than females. The ratio is about 105 boys per 100 This shows the genetic superiority of girls. By 2011 the
girls. It has been observed worldwide that natural sex ratio male infant mortality rate declined to 43 and female infant
remains in the range of 943 to 952 females per thousand mortality rate to 46 per thousand. In case of Goa in 2011
males. Hence the sex ratio tends to be unfavourable to the lowest infant mortality rates were recorded but gender
females due to differences in natural rates of births of male discrimination due to anthropogenic reasons was reflected
and female children. But due to genetic superiority of in double rates of IMR for females as compared to males
females they outnumber this advantage of males at birth i.e. 7 infant mortality rate for male and 14 per thousand
over a period of time, if only natural conditions determine female infant mortality rate. This shows the preferential
the outcome. But it is not so and in societies where gender treatment to male child in these societies.
discriminations against females operate sex ratio declines
to low levels. The child sex ratio decline from 942 in 1990 Preference for Male Child and Dislike for Girl Child
to 908 by 2015 in Asia, decline from 929 to 857 in China in Sex ratio is often considered as a manifestation of gender
the same period cannot be explained on the basis of natural relations in a society. In South Asian and Chinese societies
sex bias towards male. Likewise the drastic decline in child the human relations are governed by patriarchal structure.
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World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Male dominated social ethos discriminate against females female fetuses are selectively aborted after pre-natal
in several ways. This is manifested in the sex differential in determination using sophisticated technologies, thus
mortality rates, both during childhood and childbearing age avoiding the unwanted birth of the girl child. Although law
groups. The infant mortality rate is higher in case of girl is there to prevent it but illegal practices are going on and
child and maternal mortality rates are still high. Unequal educated and upper middle and higher class persons also
treatment of male and female children in a society use these methods. Rather the most affluent regions of the
characterized by male-dominated social ethos inevitably country have reported the shaped fall in child sex ratio in
results in higher death rates among female children leading recent decades. Female foeticide in South Asia and China is
to an adverse sex ratio in this age group. Preference for due to the socio-cultural-economic and religious traditions
male child in family, health and nutrition and education and and political conditions of these societies. It is one of
negligence of girl child in all these aspects results into sex utmost demonstrations of violence or crime against women.
ratio imbalances. Dislike for girl child is due to the The female foeticide has diffused in different directions
insecurities associated with the practice of dowry and high even in pockets where there was no tradition of female
crime rates against women including rape and molestation infanticide along with the introduction and the proliferation
and the challenge of ‘guarding her chastity’. Due to of cheaper ultrasound machines and sex determination
insecurities associated with females the parents do not want clinics.
girls. Even the women who give birth to daughter or
daughters face more domestic violence and social criticism Small Family Norm
and harassment. Therefore, even women prefer sons instead In patriarchal societies of China and India sex ratio was
of daughters. On the other hand preference to male child is relatively high when total fertility rates were high. In large
given to insure old age and to attain mokesh (salvation) as size family the probability of birth of at least one male
well as for inheritance of parental property which further child was very high. In this situation there was limited
intensifies gender discriminations. In the Census of India pressure on parents to have son or sons. But due to small
(2001) following factors were identified responsible for size preferences or two child norm in 1976 in India and
declining sex ratio - neglect of the girl child resulting in One Child compulsory policy in China in 1980, the
their higher mortality at younger age, high maternal pressure to give birth to one son in just one or two chances
mortality, sex selective female abortions and female increased. With small family norms, many young couples
infanticide. Thus there is socio-cultural acceptance of do not go for a second child if the first child happens to be
neglect of girl child which is deep rooted in South Asian a male. In China the pressure to have son was such that
social traditions and in Chinese culture. majority parents did not want to miss the chance of being
parents of a son. Therefore, majority adopted technologies
Female Infanticide for pre determination of sex of the child and in case it is
Female infanticide is a traditional practice to manage the reported girl, get it aborted. Similarly in India, due to socio-
number of children and to get rid of the undesired female cultural and economic reasons preference for small size
child. During British time it was reported by scholars from family surfaced that too with desire of at least one male
different parts of India especially from northern part from child. In case the first child is male, parents can stop
Gujarat to eastern Uttar Pradesh region. In several reproduction or can take one more chances with or without
communities it was practiced and to eradicate it the Female worrying about the sex of the second child. But in case the
Infanticide Prevention Act 1870 was implemented but it first child is female, for maintaining small size as well as
continued with reduced frequency, illegally. The main one male child they will prefer to take help of technology
causes listed for female infanticide by scholars are to insure that the desired result comes otherwise get the girl
inferiority and superiority associated with the system of child aborted and take the next chance with guarantee from
hypergamy, dowry practice, superstitions and anti abortion technological aid. The sex ratio at births number two, three
laws. and four strongly prove the use of technology, which is
illegal (Figure 4). Therefore, squeeze on family size is
Female foeticide fuelling ‘the missing women’.
In recent times, infanticide has been taken over by more
extensive practice of female foeticide. Under this practice

Fig 4: Sex Ratio at Different Birth Orders in China

Source: http://www.thenewatlantis.com/imgLib/20111213_EberstadtFigure31000w.gif
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World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Unsafe Motherhood and Unsafe Abortion declined at a faster pace. The declining trends are well
In India and Pakistan the maternal mortality rates are high established in South Asia, China and Middle East. In
mainly due to unsafe motherhood and unsafe and frequent Europe, Latin America and North America sex ratio is in
abortions. Poor nutrition, mal nutrition and imbalanced favour of females and in Australia and Africa situation of
diet, lack of awareness, discriminatory attitudes and lack of gender balance in numbers operates.
health and medical facilities are responsible for very high The main causes of declining sex ratio are natural sex ratio,
maternal mortality rates especially in India. According to preference for male and dislikes for girl child, female
National Family and Health Survey (2005-06) only 48.8 infanticide and female feticide, small size family norms,
per cent deliveries were by trained persons and only 40.8 unsafe motherhood and above all patriarchy and associated
per cent were institutional. The maternal mortality rate in gender discriminations. The consequences of declining sex
India was 215 per lakh live births in 2010 though the ratio are complex. These include practices such as bride
national population policy target for that year was to bring purchase, child marriage, polyandry, homosexuality,
it to less than 100 and in 2015 it was about 174 per lakh abduction and trafficking of girls, increased crime and
live births which is still very high. In some states it is even violence against women like rape and molestation.
at present more than 250 deaths per lakh live births, for
instance in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. References
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consequences for society. The gender imbalance in terms of influencing the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques
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ratio may also result into decline in total fertility rates due b07896e722fece14f9d40fa6f0
to absence of many men in reproduction process. Further, 2. http://debitage.net/humangeography/images/Sex_world
the paucity of women also decreases or de-motivates or .png
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men. s/1901-to-20111.jpg
4. http://www.thenewatlantis.com/imgLib/20111213_Ebe
Conclusion rstadtFigure31000w.gif
Sex ratio, which represents the ratio of males and females 5. www.unescap.org/stat/data/
in a population, is an important characteristic feature of 6. www.Knoema.com
population composition. Spatial and temporal variations in
sex composition are indicators of variations in social,
cultural and economic conditions and gender imbalances.
Sex composition of population depends on determinants of
fertility and sex ratio at birth, differential mortality of males
and females, sex composition of migrants and differential
enumeration of sexes at the time of census counts. At world
level in last 50 years sex ratio especially child sex ratio has
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