Lost Daughters: Unravelling India's Selective Abortion Crisis

Ruchi Jain, National Council of Applied Economic Research, India
Reshma Roshania, NCAER
Jaya Koti, NCAER

For over a century, India’s census data has revealed a significant gender imbalance between men and women, with fewer girls than boys. In the 2011 census, there were 940 women for every 1,000 men, and the child sex ratio was even lower, with 918 girls for every 1,000 boys. This imbalance has led to India being labelled "a country of missing women." This paper examines sex ratio trends by birth order using data from the second and third rounds of the India Human Development Survey. By analyzing variables at the individual, household, and community levels, the study explores factors contributing to son preference. Statistical techniques will be applied to estimate the extent of son preference based on birth history data. Our findings will emphasize the importance of carefully focused policies to address this issue. Beyond preventing sex-selective practices, it is crucial to understand the motivations and social norms in communities where son preference is absent. These insights could guide more effective policy approaches to combat the ongoing gender disparity in India.

Keywords: Fertility, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Dynamics, Children, Adolescents, and Youth

See extended abstract.