Surat has lowest sex ratio in the state,reveal 2011 Census figures

However,Surat has the lowest sex ratio in the state with 787 women per 1000 males,according to census data released Tuesday.

While the sex ratio in urban areas of Surat district has dropped to 756 compared to 763 in 2001,the sex ratio in a predominantly tribal area like Dahod stands at 990.

Even the child sex ratio (0-6 years),a crucial indicator of future trends of sex ratio,is the poorest in Surat district (835) as compared to other districts.

“One of the major reasons for the poor sex-ratio is the large number of migrant population. Most of them are single men from other states,who seek livelihood in the industrial units,or are largely members of the Patel community from Saurashtra who migrate in sizable numbers to Surat,” said Kiran Desai,professor of Sociology at the Surat-based Centre for Social Studies (CSS),referring to a community in Gujarat known to favour the male-child.

Surat,which has the highest population density in the state with 1137 persons living in one square kilometer area,has a workforce over 25 lakh. However,only 15% of this population are females. Surat,with only 4.10 lakh female workers,ranks third after Ahmedabad and Kutch to employ the least percentage of women.

“The traditional industry in Surat,i.e. the textiles and the diamond processing units,largely employ men. This could be one reason why the number of female workers is less,”Desai added.