Nagaland’s sex ratio at birth improving, indicates report

September 2, 2020 985 Views No Comment

Economics & Statistics Department releases Gender Statistics Nagaland 2019

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 1

The sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males) in Nagaland seems to be improving if one goes by the latest official data on registration at birth.

As per the latest ‘Gender Statistics Nagaland 2019,’ released by the State’s Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DoE&S), during the year 2018, total number of birth registered was 47,357, out of which 23,600 (49.83%) were female and 23,757 (50.16%) were male.

This signifies just 0.33% difference or 157 in absolute numbers.

District of Dimapur registered the highest with 2,864 female and 2,617 male which is followed by Kohima with 2,196 female and 2011 male births. During the same year, 615 male and 213 female deaths were registered.

As per 2011 census, the child sex ratio (0-6 years) during 2001 was 964 which declined to 943 in 2011. Child sex ratio as per 2011 census in the rural and urban areas is 933 and 973 respectively.

However, the ratio of males at birth has been showing a declining trend in recent years.

For instance, as per the ‘latest’ Civil Registration (Births & Deaths) available on the DoE&S’ website, in 2015, out of total 79,539 registrations at birth, 41,921 were males while 37,101 were females – a difference of 4,820.

A year after in 2016, the difference narrowed down by nearly 4-fold to 1,218 with 37,101 males and 35,883 females for an overall total of 72,984. Two years after, sex ratio in terms registration at birth decline to 157, a massive 87.11% decline.

Declining trends
The report further highlighted that the sex ratio in Nagaland has been improving considerably in recent years – from 900 in 2001 to 931 in 2011 census. The sex ratio as per 2011 census for rural and urban areas is 940 and 908 respectively.

It also revealed that at the district level Zunheboto has the highest sex ratio of 976 followed by Wokha – 968 and the lowest sex ratio is reported in Mon district at 899.

It said that over the last 40 years, considerable improvement in sex ratio is observed in the district of Kohima (22.27%), Mokokchung (10.91%) and Dimapur (7.61%). However, the sex ratio has worsened in the districts of Peren (-3.28%), Wokha (-1.22%) and Mon (-0.44%).

As per 2011 census, the sex ratio for Girl Child was 937 for those in the 0-9 age group, 957 for the productive age group (15-45) and 875 for age group 60+. The sex ratio in the economically active age group (15-59) was 936, the Gender Statistics report maintained.

Gender mainstreaming crucial for inclusivity
The 156-page report was officially released by the department’s outgoing Director Y Sacheo Ovung on the day of his retirement August 31, at his official chamber.

“Gender statistics plays a crucial role in gender mainstreaming on various developmental aspects for achieving gender and economic equality, inclusive development and social well-being in the society,” he underscored.

This is the third publication series which focuses on seven major areas of women’s status in Nagaland which includes population, health, social obstacles in women’s empowerment, decision makings, women participation in economy, labour force and employment and literacy and education.

Some other key findings
Child population: As per census 2011, child population (0-6 years) was 2,91,071, out of which 1,49,785 were male and 1,41,286 were female. The share of the child population to the total population is 14.71%.

Population by age group: Under population by age group, the report stated that age group of 0-9 has the highest percentage of population i.e. 21.75%.

Under this age group, the child female population was 21.85% female and child male population was 21.66%. The age group of 10-14 comes second at 12.57% of which 12.52% are female and 12.61% are male. The age group of 80+ comes at the bottom with 0.70% of which 0.67% are female and 0.72% are male.

Deaths by Age Group and Sex, 2018:Percentage of deaths was higher in the age group of 70 and above – 14.49% for male and 5.68% for female.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagalands-sex-ratio-at-birth-improving-indicates-report