The sex ratio in India has been steadily declining from 972 to 933. On the other hand, sex ratio in Kerala has been steadily increasing from 1004 to 1058. In India, male population is steadily increasing in every census period. Kerala has followed the developed country’s path with female population outnumbering that of men.

District wise Sex ratio in Kerala

Kerala had for long been considered an exception to the national trend of bias against the girl child. This trend itself reflects in the conventional attitude of the society towards girl child. Above all the efforts taken by the government and concerned authorities to enforce law against sex selective abortion should not be undermined in this context.

As far as the Juvenile Sex ratio is concerned the state bettered its position from the census period 1991 to 2001. During these periods the rates are 95.2 and 96.2 females per 100 males respectively.

However, these figures are not included in reckoning the normal sex-ratio wherein it is based on the number of adults. In the 0-6 age group males outnumber females. But taking into consideration the sex-ratio, we find that for every 1000 males there are 1058 females. The rationale of this was given by then Director of Census Operations, Smt. Sheela Thomas, as - all over the world, in the 0-6 age group, males outnumber females. With regard to the sex-ratio, the survival rate of females is more than that of males.

In 2001 the Juvenile sex ratio in the most of the Districts in Kerala are 96.2 and above except Ernakulam where the ratio is 95.2. Moreover, ten years back also, Ernakulan district showed the same rate in this aspect. This could mean that a higher number of female foeticides are taking place in these areas, if other reasons are absent.