More Women Than Men In India For The First Time: Sample Survey Shows Hopeful Numbers

At no point of time in Indian history has it been the case that the number of women (assigned female at birth) is more than the number of men (assigned male at birth). In 2021, as reported by the Hindustan Times, a study shows promising signs of this statistic changing.

The National Family and Health Survey (NFHS), in its findings, reported three major aspects:

I. For every 1000 men, there are 1,020 women in India.

II. The population is not getting any younger.

III. India does not face a population explosion threat anymore.

It must be clarified that these findings, and the first one, in particular, are from a sample survey by the NFHS and that the true statistics of the women-to-men ratio can be deduced only when the next census is conducted and released. However, this study takes us in an encouraging direction where we can expect similarly positive results in the future. The ratio had previously been equalled at 1000:1000 in the NFHS-3 survey in 2005-06, but later dipped to 991:1000 in 205-16, as shown by the NFHS-4.

‘The improved sex ratio and sex ratio at birth is also a significant achievement; even though the real picture will emerge from the census, we can say for now looking at the results that our measures for women empowerment have steered us in the right direction’

— Vikas Sheel, Mission Director of National Health Mission, and Additional Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health and Family

The optimistic figures revealed by the NFHS through the Union Health Ministry allow us to hope for a future devoid of evils against female infants and pregnant women including female foeticide, sex selection, and more.

It is, in fact, past high time that India acknowledge the power and contribution of women to social, economic, political, and other spheres. There is a cost for each woman or girl child ignored and alienated, and strides towards making things better must not simply arise from a place of merely mending a situation. Instead, they must be handled with a nuanced understanding of the cultural dynamics and dimensions as well as the social intricacies of each injustice against women.

This latest NFHS survey is heartening, and hopefully, signals better times for women across India.

If you enjoyed reading this, we suggest you also read:

How Indian Women Are Choosing To Challenge & Changing The World

7 Women Tell Us What It’s Like To Be Dark-Skinned In India

Creating A Level Playing Field For Mumbai’s Female Footballers