The Sex Ratio at Birth in India by Regions

Abstract

In a study covering the period 1949-1958 the sex ratio of births occurring in hospitals and health centers was computed in order to compare the sex ratio of the regions of India. On the basis of these recorded births the differences between regions was minimal averaging 106 live males to 100 live female births - lower in the North Zone (104) and higher in the Central Zone (108). Small sample size was thought to have resulted in these differences. Several factors affecting sex ratio at birth were explored including stillbirths parity and socio-economic factors. It was concluded that the influence of any particular factor was small and that some of the variables have a counterbalancing effect. Hospital deliveries were considered a valid indicator of the order of magnitude of the sex ratio at birth for the population at large.