Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Oct 27: The district of Udupi, known for its matrilineal social structure and 90 percent literacy rate, has once again secured the top position in Karnataka in terms of gender ratio. According to recent statistics, the district now has 1,004 girls for every 1,000 boys, marking a remarkable improvement in gender balance over the past decade.
Though Udupi witnessed fluctuations in the gender ratio in the years following 2012, the overall trend has been positive. In 2012, the district had 941 girls for every 1,000 boys, which rose to 988 in 2024 and has now reached 1,004 in 2025. Notably, the ratio had dropped to 929 in 2017, but the current figures indicate a significant social transformation within the district.
Officials attribute this progress to better education, awareness, women’s empowerment, and growing focus on maternal and child health. The figures also reflect changing social attitudes, where couples are now more accepting and even desirous of having daughters. Earlier, many preferred to stop having children if the firstborn was a boy, but today, several couples express a wish for a girl if their first child is a boy.
While this is a positive trend, health experts note that the number of families having more than two children has sharply declined. Only 30–40 percent of households now have more than one child, signalling a concerning drop in fertility rates.
Despite being a leader in education, healthcare, and women’s safety, Udupi’s fertility rate has seen a steep decline. According to official data from the Health Department, the district’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 0.74, compared to 1.5–1.7 in most other districts of the state.
As per health officials, Dakshina Kannada district currently has 944 girls for every 1,000 boys, an improvement from 938 in 2024. The district’s fertility rate stands at 1.5. Experts attribute the low fertility and gender ratio variations to factors such as delayed childbirth, preference for smaller families, and growing career focus among couples.
Authorities have reported that incidents of female foeticide are extremely rare in Udupi. The Health Department continues to maintain strict vigilance over scanning centres across the district, ensuring compliance with regulations. So far, no cases of female foeticide have been reported, officials confirmed.
“Udupi district ranks first in the state in terms of gender ratio, which is a remarkable achievement after a decade. However, the sharp drop in fertility rate—from the state average of 1.5–1.7 to 0.74 in Udupi—is a matter of concern,” said Dr Basavaraj Hubballi, district health officer, Udupi.