Factors Influencing the Sex Ratio at Birth in India: A New Analysis based on Births Occurring between 2005 and 2016

Abstract

Previous research on sex ratio at birth (SRB) in India has largely relied on macro-analysis of census data that do not contain the breadth of factors needed to explain patterns in SRB. Additionally, no previous research has examined the differentiation of factors associated with SRB across birth orders, a key determinant in societies affected by son preference. This study aims to fill these gaps using micro-data related to , births occurring between  and  collected as part of the - National Family Health Survey. Analyses used multivariable logistic regressions stratified by birth order to examine associations with SRB at the national level. The SRB at birth order  was outside the biological normal limit, and generally increased with birth order. First births in households with wealth in the middle and richest quintiles, with mothers who desired a higher ideal number of sons than daughters, and in lower fertility communities had a higher probability of being male. Most SRB correlates were visible at birth orders  or higher. Programs and policies designed to address India's male-skewed SRB must consider the diverse factors that influence SRB, particularly for higher order births.

A Girl and a Boy, Are a Bundle of Joy: A Rise in Gender‐Equitable Fertility Preferences in India

“…Second, although the six‐category variable of region is used to control for broad cultural patterns (IIPS and ICF 2021; Singh et al. 2021), it masks the cultural and socioeconomic similarities between states in different regions and the differences between states within the same region (Evans et al. 2022).…”

“…2017; Kaggwa, Diop, and Storey 2008; Singh et al. 2021; Storey and Kaggwa 2009). The first two community‐level variables measure women's employment norms.…”

“…Community‐level family size is calculated as the non‐self mean number of children (including current pregnancy) per woman for each PSU (Aksan 2021; Singh et al. 2021; Storey and Kaggwa 2009). To avoid overlap of individual‐level and community‐level fertility, I removed the index woman's response when calculating the community‐level fertility (Kaggwa, Diop, and Storey 2008; Storey and Kaggwa 2009).…”

“…Social norms can be studied by asking people if they behave in certain ways since they believe others do the same (empirical expectations), or if people believe that members of their reference group feel a behavior should be done (normative expectations) (Bicchieri 2016). DHS data can be used to measure behavior at the community (or normative) level and observe its effects on a health or fertility-related outcome (Mackie et al 2015;Singh et al 2021;Storey and Kaggwa 2009). For instance, using India DHS data, Singh et al (2021) find that lower community-level fertility is associated with increased odds of a male birth.…”

“…For instance, using India DHS data, Singh et al. (2021) find that lower community‐level fertility is associated with increased odds of a male birth. Their study reiterates the powerful role that social norms play in an individual's behavior.…”