CHANDIGARH, May 16 — Punjab’s sex ratio at birth registered a marginal increase over the last year, though a widespread downward trend across more than half of the state’s districts keeps the overall figure below the national benchmark.
According to the latest statistical registry from the Punjab Health Department, the state-wide average crept up to 924 females per 1,000 males in 2025, compared to 922 recorded in 2024. Despite this slight positive shift, the state remains behind the national birth sex ratio average of 928, hampered by a drop in performance across 14 of Punjab’s 23 administrative districts.
“Although Punjab’s sex ratio at birth has shown a marginal improvement, rising from 922 females per 1,000 males in 2024 to 924 in 2025, the broader trend continues to raise concern, with 14 of the state’s districts recording a decline this year,” health officials stated in their annual analytical brief.
The Doaba region emerged as the state’s primary driver of positive growth. Nawanshahr established the highest regional ratio at 964 females per 1,000 males, while neighboring Hoshiarpur followed closely, registering 962.
In contrast, the Malwa region reported the most severe downward trend, accounting for 10 of the 14 districts that saw a decline. Significant drops were tracked across major hubs including Ludhiana, Patiala, Barnala, Moga, and Mansa. Muktsar emerged as the lowest-performing district statewide at 891, with Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib closely trailing at 893.
State health administrators stated that oversight mechanisms are actively being reinforced at the grassroots level to reverse these declines.
“The department is monitoring antenatal registrations and abortion cases while conducting regular review meetings with Civil Surgeons across the state to improve outcomes,” stated Dr. Aditi Salaria, Director of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab. She asserted that no formal complaints regarding female foeticide or violations of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act have been logged during this reporting period.
