The role of secondary sex ratios in the declining sex ratio of India

Indian J Public Health. 1995 Jan-Mar;39(1):12-5.

Abstract

The sex ratio in India has been gradually declining since the beginning of this century during the intercensus period of 1981-91, this ratio declined from 933 to 929. In the past the difference in sex ratios was wholly attributed to higher mortality amongst the females. However date for the years 1990-92 on secondary sex ratios i.e. sex ratio at birth presented in this paper suggest that the difference in sex ratio can also be attributed to a statistically significant higher number of males being born most probably as a result of selective abortion of female fetuses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Birth Rate
  • Developing Countries*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Population Dynamics*
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sex Ratio*