Preference for male child rises in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi; female birth ratio on decline

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 26: Data over the last decade from Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts shows a worrying trend — the number of female births continues to remain lower compared to male births, indicating a persisting gender imbalance. Alongside this, fertility rates too have recorded a steady decline, raising concern among health experts.

According to government records, in DK during 2013-14, there were 13,536 male births compared to 12,527 female births — a ratio of 925 girls for every 1,000 boys. By 2024-25, the figures stood at 11,235 male births and 10,587 female births, raising the ratio slightly to 942 girls per 1,000 boys.

In Udupi, the gap has persisted. In 2014, the district recorded 10,473 male births against 9,193 female births, a shor