U’khand has worst sex ratio at birth: Niti

Uttarakhand’s child sex ratio is currently among the worst in the country, as per the sustainable development goals (SDG) indicators released by Niti Aayog a few days ago. The state’s performance has been steadily declining every year as far as child sex ratio is concerned. The third National Family Health Survey (NFHS) done in 2005-6 revealed Uttarakhand’s sex ratio at birth was of 912 female births per 1,000 male births, which was below the then national average of 914. After a decade, in 2015-16, the sex ratio at birth in Uttarakhand dropped to 888, as per the NHFS -4. In 2018, the ratio dipped to 850 and thereafter to 841 the next year, according to SDG surveys in those years. This year, the ratio stands at 840, making Uttarakhand the state with the worst sex ratio at birth.

Meanwhile, several states which previously had highly skewed sex ratios at birth have shown improvements. Punjab and Haryana, where the sex ratio at birth was 734 and 762 respectively in 2005-6, increased to 860 and 836 by 2015-16. In 2021, the situation in Punjab has improved, its sex ratio at birth is now 890. Haryana’s has dipped to 843.

In fact, neighbouring state Himachal Pradesh was almost at par with Uttarakhand in 2005-06, when its ratio was 913 (compared to Uttarakhand’s 912). This year, Himachal’s figures have increased to 930, leaving Uttarakhand behind by almost10%.

Kerala has been the best performer as per the current SDG survey, with 957 females born per 1,000 males in the state in 2021, which is better than the ideal rate of 950.

According to the district-level break-up of the data as per the NHFS-4 in 2015-16, Pauri Garhwal had the worst sex ratio at birth then, at 705. Pithoragarh was the second worst, at 758 sex ratio at birth. The state capital Dehradun did not perform too well either, as the figure was 832. Almora topped the list, with 986 female births per 1,000 male births.

Meanwhile, when queried about the state’s dismal performance, state government spokesperson and cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal told TOI, “There may be several reasons for the skewed sex ratio, especially in the hills. However over the last few years, we have worked to increase literacy rates and to inform men and women that there is no difference between a girl and boy. We will begin to see the results of our efforts in the coming days.”