The frequency offemale foeticidein India is increasing day byday. The naturalratiois assumed to be between 103 and 107, and any number above it is considered as suggestive of female foeticide. According to the decennial Indian census, thesex ratioin the 0 to 6 age group in India has risen from 102.4 males per 100 females in 1961,[1]to 104.2 in 1980, to 107.5 in 2001, to 108.9 in 2011.

The child sex ratio is within the normal natural range in all eastern and southern states of India,but significantly higher in certain western and particularly northwesternstatessuch asMaharashtra,Haryana,Jammu & Kashmir(118, 120 and 116, as of 2011, respectively).The western states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan 2011 census found a child sex ratio of 113, Gujarat at 112 and Uttar Pradesh at 111.

TheIndian censusdata suggests there is a positive correlation between abnormal sex ratio and better socio-economic status and literacy. This may be connected to the dowry system in India where dowry deaths occur when a girl is seen as a financial burden. Urban India has higher child sex ratio than rural India according to1991,2001and2011Census data, implying higher prevalence of female foeticide in urban India. Similarly, child sex ratio greater than 115 boys per 100 girls is found in regions where the predominant majority is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian; furthermore "normal" child sex ratio of 104 to 106 boys per 100 girls are also found in regions where the predominant majority is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian. These data contradict any hypotheses that may suggest that sex selection is an archaic practice which takes place among uneducated, poor sections or particular religion of the Indian society.