Gender Gap in India: Census and NSSO Data

Sex ratio

• The Census tracks the sex ratio, females per 1,000 males.
• Census 2011 found 943 for India overall.
• Kerala is highest at 1,084.
• Haryana (879) and Delhi (868) are among the lowest.
• The child sex ratio has been more skewed than the overall ratio.
• Southern and north-eastern states often do better than parts of the north.

Child sex ratio

• The child sex ratio counts girls per 1,000 boys aged 0 to 6.
• It fell from 927 in 2001 to 919 in 2011.
• Haryana (834) and Punjab (846) were among the lowest in 2011.
• A falling child ratio while the overall ratio rises shows sex selection at birth.

Work and survey data

• The NSSO once collected detailed data on women’s jobs, education and time use.
• In 2019 it merged with the Central Statistical Office to form the National Statistical Office (NSO).
• The NSO now runs surveys such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey.
• Female labour force participation stays well below male participation, even as female education rises.
• The PLFS 2023–24 put female participation at 41.7%, up from 23.3% in 2017–18. Male participation was 78.8%. Source: MoSPI press note.
• Much of the rise came from rural women, often in self-employment.

Census and survey differ

• NFHS-5 (2019–21) found 1,020 women per 1,000 men.
• It surveys a sample of households. The Census counts everyone.
• So NFHS-5 does not replace the Census figure of 943. See Down To Earth.
• NFHS-5 put the sex ratio at birth at 929, up from 919 in NFHS-4.
• The natural ratio at birth is about 952 girls per 1,000 boys.

Overlaps

• Gaps in schooling and jobs often compound for women from marginalised castes.
• Richer households usually show smaller schooling gaps than poorer ones.

Law

• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act aims to curb sex selection.
• It targets practices behind a skewed child sex ratio.

• The PCPNDT Act was passed in 1994 and tightened in 2003.
• It bans sex determination of a foetus.
• Weak enforcement and son preference still limit its effect.

Missing women

• National averages hide sharp regional and social gaps.
• Economists call rising female education without matching work the “missing women in the workforce” puzzle.
• Using sex ratio and survey data together gives a fuller picture.

Related reading

• The Census numbers: Census 2011.
• The policy response: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.
• The history: Status of Women in India.
• The work gap: Urbanization, Self-Help Groups and Women’s Economic Empowerment.
• Education: Girl-Child Education in India.
• A related outcome: Suicide Among Young Women.

Global Gender Gap Index and SRS

• In September 2026 the WEF ranked India 131st of 145 countries. India has closed 64.5% of its gap. Source: The Hindu.
• Economic participation scored 41.2%. Educational attainment scored 96.6%.
• The SRS Statistical Report 2024 came out in May 2026. Source: VisionIAS summary of the report.
• Sex ratio at birth for 2022–24 was 918 girls per 1,000 boys.
• Chhattisgarh (978) and Kerala (974) were highest. Uttarakhand (872) was lowest.