Gender Inequality, Foeticides and Missing Girls in India: Regional Comparative Analysis

Pradeep Kumar Bhargava, Population Research Centre, Dharwad, India
G.M. Hiremath, Population Research Centre, Dharwad, India

Using 2001 Census of India paper analyzes proximate determinants of declining female population (measured in terms of sex-ratio) in different age groups, its regional variations and impact on demographic imbalance. An index developed by Hill and Upchurch (1995) used to estimate contribution of female mortality disadvantages on decline in sex ratio as well as missing females due to foeticide and sex-age differentials in mortality. To study determinants of declining in sex ratio log linear multiple regression analyses applied. The analyses revealed strong preference for sons that is influenced by various socio-cultural and economic factors and there are regional variations within India. The adverse child sex ratio is definitely a matter of concern with rising incidence of female foeticide in some of the Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. If the stringent measures are not taken up there will have long-term impact on demographic imbalance in India