Only 899 girls are born for every 1,000 boys in Maharashtra
A report says Maharashtra’s fertility rate has fallen to 1.4 and its sex ratio to 899 girls per 1,000 boys.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
A state report flags two worrying demographic trends in Maharashtra: a fertility rate below replacement level and a sex ratio below the national average. Experts warn that if the pattern continues, it could create long-term social and population pressures.
Maharashtra is being compared to a family where fewer babies are being born, and too many of them are boys. If that keeps happening, the state could end up with fewer people later, like a classroom slowly getting emptier.
Analysis
What the report says
The article cites a report from the Registrar General and Census Commissioner’s office and says the data are from 2024. It claims Maharashtra’s total fertility rate has dropped to 1.4, far below the replacement level of 2.1. In plain terms, that means the average number of children born to a woman is low enough that the population can start shrinking over time.
The sex ratio problem
The piece also says the state’s sex ratio in 2025 was 899 girls for every 1,000 boys. That is below the national average of 918 cited in the article. The report is presented as a warning that the imbalance is not just a number; it may affect future births and deepen the fertility decline.
Why experts are concerned
According to the article, experts believe the trend could lead to serious social consequences if it continues. They argue that the state should act against illegal sonography centres and prevent female foeticide. The article says that increasing the number of girls born could help slow the drop in the fertility rate in the future.
Bottom line
The story is framed as a demographic alarm bell for Maharashtra: fewer births overall, and fewer girls relative to boys. The article does not provide policy detail beyond enforcement and prevention, but it clearly argues that the current trend needs urgent attention.
Key points
- The report says Maharashtra’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.4, below the replacement level of 2.1.
- The article says the state’s sex ratio in 2025 was 899 girls per 1,000 boys.
- The national average sex ratio cited in the article is 918.
- Experts warn that the trend could bring serious social consequences if it continues.
- The piece calls for action against illegal sonography centres and female foeticide.
If the state acts against illegal sonography centres and stops sex selection, the sex ratio could improve. A more balanced number of births may also help slow the fall in fertility over time.
If the current pattern continues, Maharashtra could face a shrinking population over time. A badly skewed sex ratio may also deepen social problems and make the fertility decline harder to reverse.
