Female Birth Rate Drops to 911 per 1,000 Boys in Pune: Experts Warn of Future Risks
Pune, 25th September 2025: Despite the legacy of social reformer Savitribai Phule, who established the first school for girls in India, the city continues to witness a worrying decline in the birth rate of female children. This trend raises serious questions about the situation across Maharashtra.
According to officials, while an ideal ratio is considered to be 950 girls born per 1,000 boys, Pune currently records only 911 girls per 1,000 boys. Data collected by Vivek Velankar, President of Sajag Nagrik Manch, indicates that the ratio had ranged between 934 and 940 in 2012-14 and rose to 946 in 2020. However, between 2021 and 2024, the figure dropped sharply to 911, sparking concerns about the long-term social and demographic impact.
Velankar expressed alarm at the decline, citing ineffective regulation of prenatal sex determination tests. “Despite legal restrictions, sex diagnostic tests are still being conducted, showing a gap in government enforcement,” he said. He emphasized that strict laws alone are not enough; rigorous implementation is essential to curb the practice.
Experts suggest several factors contributing to the decline in female births. Persistent societal preference for male children leads to selective abortions, while the adoption of modern family planning methods has resulted in smaller families, often limiting the number of girls born.
Economic challenges, lack of education, and concerns about the future security of daughters also discourage larger families.
The continuous decline in the female birth rate is a cause for serious concern, highlighting the need for social awareness campaigns, stricter law enforcement, and a cultural shift in societal attitudes toward girls.
