Archive · 15 Jun 2025
Telangana: Declining Sex Ratio Despite Welfare, Education
In Telangana, fewer girls are being born and surviving compared to boys.
Despite efforts like welfare schemes and increasing education, this trend continues.
This is measured by the child sex ratio, which shows the number of girls for every 1,000 boys.
Some experts believe that schemes which support girls' marriages are not helping, and instead girls should be educated more.
Women in the state are working, but it's not leading to equality, due to problems like low investment in education and high dropout rates.
These issues indicate a deeper problem in how girls are valued and treated.
Telangana's child sex ratio has dropped to 894 girls per 1,000 boys, lower than the national average.
Despite welfare schemes and rising education levels, the decline in the sex ratio continues.
Over Rs. 6,500 crore has been spent on marriage support schemes like Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak.
Experts argue that these schemes incentivize early marriage instead of education and empowerment.
Female labor force participation is over 52 percent, but gender equality lags, with high dropout rates and poor investment in education.
- Who
- Girls in Telangana are disproportionately affected
- What
- A decline in the child sex ratio in Telangana, indicating fewer girls surviving compared to boys.
- When
- As per NFHS-5 report
- Where
- Telangana, India
- Why
- A combination of factors including a preference for sons, inadequate investment in girls' education, and cultural norms.
Advocates for Education & Empowerment
Proponents of Current Policies
Marriage vs. Education Support
Advocates for Education & Empowerment
Financial schemes for girls' marriage incentivize early marriage and send the wrong message.
Proponents of Current Policies
These schemes help poor families.
Empowerment vs. Tradition
Advocates for Education & Empowerment
Focus should be on education, skill development, and ensuring girls are able to be independent.
Proponents of Current Policies
Support for traditional family structures is important.
- Child Sex Ratio (NFHS-5)
- 894 girls per 1,000 boys
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRS)
- 892
- Female Labor Force Participation
- Over 52 percent
- Kalyana Lakshmi & Shaadi Mubarak Spending
- Over Rs.6,500 crore (2018-2023)
- Total Fertility Rate
- 1.8