The Dynamics of Population: Sex Ratio in South Bihar Plain (1901-2011)

The proportion of females to male, in other words number of female per thousand male, helps us in understanding the status of women or the prevailing equality between males and females at a particular time in our society. Sex ratio are among the most basic demographic characteristics and provide an understanding of the relative survival of both males and females. The sex ratio becomes favourable to women, when the number of females exceeds that of males, and is said to adverse, when the number of males exceeds to female. Sex ratio in Indian society normally remained adverse to women, as it has been rapidly declining decade after decade. There are many socio-economic factors which are intimately related with the inequality between the number of males and females, which affects the socio-economic and cultural characteristic of our society in different ways. In a state like Bihar, especially South Bihar plain, sex ratio becomes a key factor in understanding the development, because it has both demographic and social implications. The data regarding sex ratio helps in various types of planning in the study area and also helps us in the analysis of other demographic indicators like, fertility, mortality, migration and socio-economic structure of the study area. It has generally influenced the form and tempo of life in the state of Bihar and south Bihar plain. The decrease in number either men or women of adult age will reduce the marriage rate and will ultimately affect the crude birth rate, which will be resulted into many social evil. In this research paper, we will examine the district wise spatio-temporal variation in sex ration as well as growth of male and female population in South Bihar plain and state of Bihar as a whole. Through this research paper we will also try to find out the reasons behind this unprecedented decline in sex ratio from 1931, onward in the districts of South Bihar plain and will also help in understanding the consequences.