Delhi’s sex ratio declines for third straight year

Delhi’s sex ratio has continued to decline for the third consecutive year, slipping to 922 female births per 1,000 male births in 2023, according to the latest Delhi State Indicator Framework 2024 Status Report. The figure marks a steady fall from the Capital’s all-time high of 933 recorded in 2020.

The data taken from the Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi 2024 indicates that the city’s sex ratio has shown a consistent downward trend since 2020, dropping from 933 to 932 in 2021, 929 in 2022 and 922 in 2023. The reversal is seen as worrying by experts, especially since Delhi had crossed the 900-mark for the first time only in 2016, signalling progress that now appears to be eroding.

The report also indicates a steady decline in Delhi’s birth rate. In 2016, the rate stood at 20.16 births per 1,000 people, but has fallen sharply in the years since. It hit a low of 13.13 in 2021 before recovering marginally to reach 14 in 2024.

Maternal deaths, meanwhile, have shown erratic trends over the years. These deaths, which occur due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth, peaked at 200 in 2019, dropped to 162 in 2020 and 119 in 2021, before rising again to 148 in 2022 and 142 in 2023.

Health experts say the data points to a mix of demographic and healthcare challenges. While the overall improvement in maternal care had earlier helped raise the sex ratio and reduce deaths, recent fluctuations suggest a need for renewed focus on maternal health services, gender awareness and female child welfare in the national capital.