Bihar Sex Ratio 2022

The Bihar sex ratio 2022 has become a topic of national concern, especially for students preparing for competitive exams like SSC, UPSC, and State PCS.

According to the Vital Statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System (CRS) report released by the Registrar General of India, Bihar has recorded the lowest sex ratio at birth (SRB) in the country for the year 2022.

With just 891 girls born for every 1,000 boys, this alarming data signals a deep-rooted gender imbalance in Bihar.

What is Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)?

• The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is defined as the number of girls born for every 1,000 boys in a given year. It is a critical indicator of gender equality and social health.

• A low SRB often reflects prenatal sex selection, female foeticide, or underreporting of female births—practices which violate the basic rights of the girl child.

Bihar's Declining SRB: A Three-Year Trend

The Bihar sex ratio 2022 isn't just a one-off statistic. The state has shown a consistent year-on-year decline:

• 2020: 964 girls per 1,000 boys

• 2021: 908 girls per 1,000 boys

• 2022: 891 girls per 1,000 boys

This reflects the issue of declining female births in Bihar, raising serious questions about societal attitudes and state-level enforcement.

CRS Report: Bihar vs. Other States

The CRS report Bihar sex ratio data reveals:

• Bihar: 891 (lowest in India)

• Maharashtra: 906

• Gujarat: 908

• Telangana: 907

• Assam (improved): 933

• National Average: 943

• Highest SRB: Nagaland (1,068), Arunachal Pradesh (1,036)

Hence, Bihar is now officially the lowest sex ratio state in India in 2022, which highlights the gravity of the issue.

Bihar's Birth Data: High Numbers, Low Equality

Interestingly, Bihar registered over 3.07 million births in 2022—the third-highest in India. But when broken down:

• Male births: 1.47 million

• Female births: 1.31 million

This reveals a male-to-female birth ratio in Bihar that is heavily skewed, with a gender gap of over 160,000 births—the widest in India. These figures suggest possible prenatal sex selection in Bihar and underreporting of female births.

Government Response & Policy Weaknesses

• Despite the existence of strict laws like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, enforcement in Bihar seems weak.

• The state did not report penalties under Section 23 of the RBD Act, which is meant to punish false registration or non-registration of births.

Additionally, the Bihar birth registration statistics show that birth registration within 21 days falls within the 50–80% range, indicating delayed or selective registration in rural areas, where gender bias is more prevalent.

Political Implications Ahead of Bihar Elections 2025

• With the Bihar Assembly elections in 2025 approaching, these numbers have political and electoral consequences.

• Women have become a key voter demographic, and many states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra have launched cash transfer and welfare schemes to attract female voters.

But the question remains: How effective are women-focused schemes when fewer girls are being born?

This demographic trend severely undermines the idea of women's empowerment, which is why the government's response to the sex ratio decline needs to be urgent and impactful.

Why It Matters for SSC Aspirants

This issue is highly relevant for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, and other government exams. It connects multiple subjects:

• Polity: Government laws like the PCPNDT Act, RBD Act

• Geography/Demographics: Population trends in Bihar and India

• Current Affairs: Important report (CRS), political reactions

• Ethics/Governance: Social justice, gender equity

Aspirants should focus on keywords like "sex ratio at birth", "CRS report", and "gender imbalance in India" for static and current affairs sections.

Final Thoughts

The Bihar sex ratio 2022 is not just a statistic—it is a social warning bell. The consistent drop over three years and the gender gap in births demand policy-level attention, social reform, and stronger enforcement of existing laws.

For exam aspirants and concerned citizens alike, understanding the declining female births in Bihar is crucial to advocating for a more balanced and equitable society.