Doaba leads improvement with top-performing districts, while Punjab continues to remain below the national average
16 May, 2026 – Jalandhar : Although Punjab’s sex ratio at birth has shown a marginal improvement, rising from 922 females per 1,000 males in 2024 to 924 in 2025, the broader trend continues to raise concern, with 14 of the state’s 23 districts recording a decline this year.
According to the latest data from the Punjab Health Department, the Doaba region emerged as the best performing in the state. Nawanshahr recorded 964 females per 1,000 males, while Hoshiarpur followed closely with 962.
Despite this improvement, Punjab continues to remain below the national average of 928 females per 1,000 males.
The data further indicates that while some border districts have shown improvement, the Malwa region remains the most affected area in terms of declining sex ratio at birth.
Among border districts, Fazilka recorded the highest sex ratio at birth at 932 females per 1,000 males, unchanged from last year. Pathankot showed a notable improvement, rising from 911 in 2024 to 926 in 2025.
Ferozepur stood at 923, while Gurdaspur recorded 910. However, Amritsar and Tarn Taran saw a slight decline. Amritsar slipped from 917 to 915, while Tarn Taran fell from 908 to 903.
Malwa continues to remain worst affected
Of the 14 districts that reported a decline this year, 10 belong to the Malwa region. Districts such as Ludhiana, Patiala, Barnala, Moga, and Mansa recorded decreases, underlining persistent concerns in the region. Even Malerkotla, Punjab’s only Muslim-majority district, saw a decline from 956 females per 1,000 males in 2024 to 952 in 2025.
CM’s constituency among weaker performers
Official data shows that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district Sangrur remains among the poorer-performing districts, recording 896 females per 1,000 males this year. The district has seen a continuous decline over the past three years, from 918 in 2023 to 901 in 2024 and further down to 896 in 2025.
Muktsar emerged as the worst-performing district in the state with 891 females per 1,000 males, followed by Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib, both at 893.
Dr Aditi Salaria, Director of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, said that no complaints related to female foeticide or violations of the PC-PNDT Act had been received so far.
She added that the department is monitoring antenatal registrations and abortion cases while conducting regular review meetings with Civil Surgeons across the state to improve outcomes.
She further said that awareness campaigns and baby shows under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative are being organised in schools, hospitals, community health centres and Aam Aadmi Clinics to address social mindsets and promote gender equality.
This trend reflects Punjab’s long-standing challenges. The state has historically recorded one of India’s most skewed sex ratios due to son preference, agricultural inheritance patterns, dowry practices, and the continued misuse of sex-determination technologies despite the PC-PNDT Act.
Key highlights
Best performers (Doaba region): Nawanshahr (964) and Hoshiarpur (962)
Border districts mixed trend: Fazilka remained stable at 932 females per 1,000 males, while Pathankot improved from 911 in 2024 to 926 this year. However, Amritsar and Tarn Taran recorded slight declines.
Worst performers: Muktsar (891), Mohali (893), Fatehgarh Sahib (893); Sangrur at 896, declining for three consecutive years (918 → 901 → 896)
Malwa dominance in decline: 10 of 14 declining districts are from Malwa, including Ludhiana, Patiala, Barnala, Moga, Mansa, and Malerkotla (956 → 952)
Punjab overall: Still below the national average (Rs 928)
The Tribune