India's sex ratio at birth has improved to 917 in 2021-23, up from 904 in 2017-19, indicating better female survival rates at the national level, the government said on Wednesday, 29 April 2025. The data was released as part of the "Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data" publication, unveiled in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Key Findings from the Report

The publication compiles gender-disaggregated indicators across population, education, health, economic participation, decision-making, and violence against women. According to the report, the infant mortality rate for both female and male infants recorded a pronounced and sustained decline between 2008 and 2023. On the education front, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher education level improved from 28.5 to 30.2 for females and from 28.3 to 28.9 for males between 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Women's Economic Participation on the Rise

Labour force participation for individuals aged 15 and above rose for both sexes during the period under review. Notably, rural females recorded the highest increase, with participation climbing from 37.5% to 45.9% between 2022 and 2025. The report also highlighted a significant rise in women in leadership roles: women engaged in managerial positions grew by 102.54% between 2017 and 2025, compared to a 73.80% rise for men during the same period — a notable indicator of shifting workplace dynamics.

What the Publication Covers

The MoSPI statement said the publication draws upon inputs from various Ministries, Departments, and organisations to present an analysis of key socio-economic indicators and highlight emerging trends. It also adds metadata for 50 key indicators to clarify concepts, definitions, sources, and methodology. The aim, according to the official statement, is to "enable a deeper understanding of evolving gender disparities and development trends" and equip policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders with evidence to inform gender-responsive policies.

Why This Data Matters

This comes amid sustained policy attention on women-led development in India, with schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao credited — at least in part — with improving sex ratios at birth in several states. The improvement from 904 to 917 per 1,000 male births over a six-year window is encouraging, though India's sex ratio at birth still remains below the natural benchmark of approximately 950, indicating that structural challenges persist. The surge in rural female labour force participation to 45.9% is among the more striking data points, reflecting both economic necessity and expanding opportunity in non-farm rural employment. The full publication is available on the official MoSPI website. Further policy frameworks drawing on this data are expected to be incorporated into upcoming gender-responsive planning cycles.