Sex Ratio Patterns and Family Dynamics in India: An Econometric Investigation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is explore several socio-economic factors associated with sex ratio at birth and the influencing factors in the family dynamics of major states of  India. We use quantitative secondary data collected from statistical databases like India Human Development Survey, 2010 and Census of India, 2011. As statistical methods we used regression and principal components analysis. Initial 18 variables were collapsed in to five factors with Eigen values greater than one that account for 91.098% of total variance. The first component has a maximum variance and successive components explain progressively smaller portions of the variance and all are uncorrelated with each other. Varimax rotation with Kaiser Normalization was used to transform the components in to factors that were more clearly interpretable. Results show that old age support from daughter has significant positive while average expected marriage expenses have significant negative association with child sex ratio in the major states of India in 2011. In addition, Literacy and physical mobility have significant positive and percent female engaged in salaried work have significant negative association with sex ratio aged seven and above and sex ratio for total population. Reduction in marriage expenses is an essential policy recommendation. Policies adopted in Kerala about old age support from daughter should be strengthen in other states for balancing child sex ratio and reducing son preference attitude in India.

Keywords: Sex Ratio, Socioeconomic Factors, Principal Component Analysis, India.