Female Birth Rate Declines Sharply in Telangana: Census Report Raises Concern

NEWS CHARIOT:-A recent report released by the Census Department under the Union Home Ministry has revealed a worrying trend in Telangana — a significant decline in the female birth rate and an increase in the urban-rural birth gap. The report, based on 2021 statistics, shows a consistent drop in the number of girls born compared to boys, raising alarms about gender imbalance in the state.

In 2019, for every 1,000 male infants born, there were 953 female infants. By 2021, this ratio declined to 922 females per 1,000 males. Experts warn that this trend could have long-term social consequences if not addressed promptly.

The report also highlights a higher birth rate in urban areas compared to rural regions. In 2021, urban Telangana saw 4.15 lakh births, whereas rural areas recorded 1.96 lakh. Among these, 3.18 lakh were male infants, while female births stood at 2.93 lakh — reinforcing the skewed gender ratio.

COVID-19’s impact was also evident in the report, which noted a 15.4% increase in death rates during 2021. A total of 2.34 lakh people died in the state, including 1.35 lakh men and 98,000 women. Urban areas reported 1.26 lakh deaths, while rural areas saw 1.08 lakh. A significant majority of deaths — 76% — were among those aged 55 and above.

Worryingly, infant mortality was higher in urban areas, with Hyderabad topping the list, followed by Peddapalli district. This raises questions about healthcare access and quality in the cities.

In terms of overall births, Telangana recorded 6.11 lakh in 2021. Hyderabad led with 95,666 births, while Mulugu registered the lowest with just 3,868. Other districts with high birth counts included Medchal, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Warangal Urban, Nalgonda, and Khammam.

The findings underline the urgent need for policy interventions to promote gender equality and improve maternal and child healthcare, particularly in urban centers where infant mortality remains concerningly high.

#Telangana #GenderRatio #FemaleBirthRate #CensusReport #TelanganaNews #InfantMortality #UrbanVsRural #ChildHealth #Hyderabad #WomenEmpowerment #SaveTheGirlChild #PublicHealth #CovidImpact #IndiaDemographics #HealthStatistics