Sex ratio in Delhi declined to 920 females per 1,000 males in 2024 compared to 922 the previous year, according to an annual report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and the Office of Chief Registrar (Births & Deaths) of the Delhi government. This is the fifth year in a row, when Delhi's birth rate has decreased.
It was 933 in 2020; 932 in 2021; 929 in 2022; 922 in 2023. The sex ratio had improved significantly in the past, reaching 1,004 females per 1,000 males in 2008, but has been declining since 2020. This trend has alarmed health experts, suggesting an increase in prenatal sex determination tests and calling for stricter enforcement of related laws.
Delhi's sex ratio is currently below the national average of 940 females per 1,000 males, as reported in the latest census. A sex ratio of around 105 males per 100 females is considered an acceptable level, it said. Officials noted that Delhi lacks Clinical Establishment Act, under which pathological labs are registered. This statistic is more than just a number; it reflects a deeply ingrained preference for male children, often resulting in sex-selective abortions. The declining sex ratio has long-term societal implications, from skewed demographics to increased gender-based violence and discrimination.