Haryana's 2024 Sex Ratio Hits 8-Year Low: Alarming Decline Sparks Concerns

In 2024, Haryana's sex ratio at birth fell to an eight-year low of 910 girls for every 1,000 boys, sparking concerns among activists and civil society. The sex ratio is an important indicator of gender equality and reflects the status of women in society. Read more details below.  

Jan 10, 2025, 17:26 IST
In 2014, Haryana had an extremely low birth sex ratio of 871.
In 2014, Haryana had an extremely low birth sex ratio of 871.

Haryana's sex ratio at birth dropped to an eight-year low of 910 girls for every 1,000 boys, in 2024, raising concerns among activists and civil society groups. Although government authorities have described this result as a slight fluctuation. 

The sex ratio represents the position of women in society and is a crucial measure of gender equality. In 2021, the National Health and Family Survey-5 (NFHS-5) reported that the sex ratio at birth in India was 929.

Declining Sex Ratio in Haryana

In 2014, Haryana had an extremely low birth sex ratio of 871. This circumstance led to massive demonstrations and the start of initiatives by the government and civil society to raise the ratio. Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" campaign in 2015 with the goal of preventing female foeticide and advancing the welfare of girls.

Haryana had a sex ratio of 910 in 2024, with 270,354 boys and 246,048 girls born. This drop from 916 in 2023 is concerning, especially after reaching a high of 923 in 2019. The drop is especially depressing considering the state's recent progress in raising gender ratios.

Govt Initiatives for Girls in Haryana

Haryana initially improved its sex ratio through strict enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PNDT Act) of 1994 and awareness campaigns. However, activists say enforcement has become weaker, leading to continued sex determination and selective abortions.

According to Haryana officials, the state has made strides in the last ten years, with more than 4,000 arrests made under the PNDT Act. The government has sought to increase girls' access to education and has put in place financial incentives for households with daughters. The goal of these programs is to change how society views girls.

What is Sex Ratio?

The number of female births per 1,000 male births is known as the sex ratio at birth. Gender justice and the well-being of society depend on a balanced sex ratio. The ratio in Haryana has varied throughout the last ten years, suggesting that tackling gender bias continues to be difficult.

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Vidhee Tripathi
Vidhee Tripathi

Content Writer

Vidhee Tripathi completed her PG Diploma degree in Digital Media from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. She is a graduate in Science with chemistry honors from Banaras Hindu University. She has 2 years of experience in various aspects of journalism. She was previously associated with the social media wing of Akashvani. At jagranjosh.com, currently she covers current affairs, national news and international news. She is also associated with the education news section of Jagran Josh.

Certificate: Creative Writing, Problem Solving, Web Content Writing
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