Rural-Urban Disparity in Child Sex Ratio of Punjab: A Spatio-temporal Investigation

Abstract

This study examines rural-urban disparities in the child sex ratio (0-6 age group) in Punjab and analyses their spatial and regional variations over the period 1991-2011. The study is based on secondary data obtained from the Census of India for 1991, 2001, and 2011, with tehsils used as the primary unit of analysis. To ensure temporal comparability, earlier census data were harmonised with the 2011 tehsil boundaries. The rural-urban disparity in child sex ratio was measured by comparing the difference between rural and urban child sex ratios across tehsils, and the spatial pattern of these disparities was examined through choropleth mapping. The analysis reveals that rural-urban disparities in child sex ratio were present throughout the study period, although their magnitude and spatial concentration varied over time. In 1991, tehsils with relatively high rural-urban disparity were widely distributed across the state. In 2001, relatively high disparities were more evident in the foothill zone of the Himalayas. By 2011, higher disparities were concentrated in the southern and eastern fringes of Malwa, along with parts of north-eastern Doaba and Majha. The study also shows that the spatial extent of low child sex ratio expanded in both rural and urban Punjab during the study period. Overall, the findings highlight persistent gender imbalance and marked regional variation in Punjab. The paper argues that these patterns should be understood in relation to broader socio-cultural and economic contexts, while recognising that the present analysis is primarily descriptive and does not establish causal relationships.