Page 165 - SST Class 08

Sex Ratio in India When a girl child is killed after birth, it is
called female infanticide. This type of inhuman
Year Females per thousand males
practices are prevalent not only in India, but
1901 972 also in many other developing countries.

1911 964 3. A number of young women
1921 955 die at the time of giving birth
to children in the absence of
1931 950
adequate medical care.
1941 945
Info Bits
1951 946 Info Bits Doctor’s clinic
1961 941
India has prohibited the sex determination tests
1971 930 before the birth of a child in order to prevent any
female foeticide. Female infanticide is considered a
1981 934
very serious crime for which severe punishment is
1991 929 given by the law.
2001 927 Age Structure

2011 940 The age structure of population determines the
Sex ratio can be favourable or adverse. When the number of people available for working in a
number of females is more than the number of country. It helps the government to plan different
males in a country, it is called favourable ratio. If aspects of life. The population is broadly divided
there are 1010 females for every thousand males, into three age groups—(a) 0-14 years, (b) 15-64
then this ratio is favourable. On the other hand, if years and (c) 65+ years.
the number of females is less than the number of The first group (0-14) comprises of children up to
males in a country, it is called adverse ratio. For the age of 14. The members of this group will
example, if there are 989 females per thousand grow to become working members in the future,
males, it is called adverse ratio. In India, at but it can be done effectively when suitable
present, there is adverse ratio. According to the arrangements for their education and training have
Census of India in 2011, there were 940 females been made.
per thousand males.
The second group (15-64) is known as the
In countries situated in North America, Latin working population . The progress, development
America and Europe, we find favourable sex ratio. and productivity of the country depend on this
On the contrary in Asia, it is adverse ratio. group. If the members of this group are educated,
Causes of Adverse Sex Ratio in India : In India, skilled and proficient, the progress and
the sex ratio is adverse owing to many reasons. development of the country will be rapid.
They are : The third group (65+) is called the senior citizen

In India, the sex ratio is adverse owing to many or old age group . This group is past its prime.
reasons. They are : Since this group comprises of old people, it is
necessary that proper medical, healthcare and
1. Girls are neglected in the families, which has rehabilitation facilities are provided to them.
reduced their life expectancy; while males get
preferential treatment in the families. The first and third groups are also known as the
dependent groups. If we study the above table, we
2. Some girl children are killed before and after
find that working age group (15-64) is the largest.
birth. When a female foetus in the mother’s In high and middle income countries, the major
womb is killed, it is called female foeticide.
part of the population falls in the working group.
Human Resources
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