Male–female imbalance in the Indian population: 120 years perspective, 1901–2021

This paper analyses the male–female imbalance in the Indian population over a period of 120 years using data from the decennial population censuses since 1901 and annual estimates of population by age and sex prepared by the United Nations for the period 1950–2021. The analysis shows that the trend in the male–female imbalance in population has changed frequently during the period 1950–2021 in India. The analysis also reveals that the level and the trend in the male–female imbalance at the country level masks the remarkable variation in the male–female imbalance across states/Union Territories and districts. The frequent changes in the male–female imbalance in the country has largely been due to the fluctuations in the male–female imbalance in the number of deaths. Before 1981, the male–female imbalance in the number of deaths in the country contributed to increase the imbalance in favour of males but, after 1981, it has contributed to decrease the population imbalance in favour of males. On the other hand, the male–female imbalance in the number of births contributed to decrease the population imbalance in favour of males before 1991, but, after 1991 it has contributed to increase the imbalance in favour of males. The decrease in population imbalance in favour of males in recent years is attributed to the increase in male mortality in the adult ages.