India’s Gender Ratio in 2025: Insights and Disparities

India’s gender ratio, defined as the number of women per 1,000 men, presents a varied picture in 2025, with a national average of 952, as per the most recent data from the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.

The figures range from an impressive 1,392 in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu to a low of 818 in Chandigarh, illustrating the disparities across the 28 states and 8 union territories (UTs) and providing insight into social, cultural, and demographic trends.

This article emphasizes significant facts, captivating observations, and investigates the reasons behind the favorable gender ratios in certain regions while others face challenges.

Gender Ratio in Every Indian State

Rank	State/Union Territory	Women per 1,000 Men
1	Kerala	1,084
2	DNHDD (Very high due to small population)	1,392
3	Puducherry	1,037
4	Tamil Nadu	996
5	Telangana	998
6	Andhra Pradesh	993
6	Karnataka	993
8	Odisha	979
9	Chhattisgarh (CG)	971
10	Himachal Pradesh	972
11	Manipur	992
12	Meghalaya	989
13	Mizoram	976
14	Goa	973
15	Tripura	960
16	Uttarakhand	963
17	Assam	958
18	West Bengal	950
19	Madhya Pradesh	931
19	Nagaland	931
21	Arunachal Pradesh	938
22	Rajasthan	928
23	Maharashtra	929
24	Jharkhand	948
25	Gujarat	919
26	Bihar	918
27	Uttar Pradesh	912
28	Sikkim	890
29	Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)	889
30	Punjab	895
31	Haryana	879
32	Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N Islands)	876
33	Delhi	868
34	Chandigarh	818
35	Lakshadweep	946
36	Ladakh	Not Available

Key Facts

Highest Ratio: Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have the highest ratio with 1,392 women for every 1,000 men, followed by Kerala at 1,084 and Puducherry at 1,037.

Lowest Ratio: Chandigarh has the lowest ratio at 818, with Delhi at 868 and Haryana at 879 also falling behind.

National Average: The national average ratio is 952, indicating an improvement from previous decades, yet it remains below parity.

Regional Leaders: Southern states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu (996), and Andhra Pradesh (993) lead the rankings, while northern states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (912) are positioned lower.

Interesting Observations

Outlier Anomaly: The ratio of 1,392 in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu is an outlier, likely influenced by small population sizes or migration trends that favor female employment, although this requires further examination.

Southern Advantage: Southern states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka) consistently exhibit ratios exceeding 993, indicating a more favorable gender equity compared to northern regions.

Urban Challenges: Urban Union Territories such as Chandigarh (818) and Delhi (868) report some of the lowest ratios, potentially due to male-centric migration for employment.

Northeastern Balance: States in the Northeast, including Manipur (992), Meghalaya (989), and Mizoram (976), maintain robust ratios, reflecting cultural or demographic influences.

Reasons Behind Favorable Gender Ratios in Certain UTs and States

Various regions stand out due to distinct social and policy-related influences:

Kerala (1,084): The state boasts high literacy rates (100% female literacy), robust healthcare systems, and matrilineal customs in certain areas (such as the Nair community), all of which foster gender equality. Initiatives like the Kerala Model prioritize women’s education and health.

Puducherry (1,037): This small Union Territory emphasizes education and healthcare, along with a well-balanced urban-rural demographic, which contributes to a positive gender ratio.

Northeast States (for instance, Manipur 992, Meghalaya 989): The presence of matrilineal communities (like the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya) and reduced gender bias in tribal societies play a significant role. Additionally, lower population density alleviates issues such as dowry pressures.

Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (1,392): This unusual figure may be attributed to female migration for industrial employment or inaccuracies in data collection within a small population, leading to an artificially inflated ratio.

Reasons for Struggles

Certain areas encounter ongoing difficulties:

Chandigarh (818) and Delhi (868): The swift pace of urbanization draws in male migrant workers, resulting in imbalanced ratios. The absence of family migration and low female workforce participation further intensify this disparity.

Haryana (879) and Punjab (895): Long-standing cultural biases favoring male offspring, along with sex-selective abortions in violation of the PCPNDT Act, contribute to low ratios. The pressures of dowry practices and patriarchal traditions exacerbate the situation.

Uttar Pradesh (912): A large population combined with rural poverty restricts girls’ access to healthcare and education, thereby perpetuating gender discrimination.

Jammu & Kashmir (889): Ongoing conflict and displacement may disturb demographic equilibrium, as male migration for security or employment diminishes the female ratio.

Conclusion

The gender ratio data for 2025 indicates India’s advancement towards equity, with a national average of 952 and exemplary states like Kerala and Puducherry leading through education and cultural initiatives.

Nevertheless, the challenges faced in Chandigarh, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh underscore the necessity to tackle issues related to migration, cultural prejudices, and the enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation.

The anomaly presented by Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu highlights the critical need for data verification in smaller regions.

Attaining gender balance necessitates customized policies aimed at uplifting underperforming areas while maintaining progress in more advanced regions.

Source

• Women and Men in India – mospi.gov.in