Government reports analyzing birth data from 2018 to 2023 indicate a notable imbalance in the sex ratio among children of Indian ethnicity born in England and Wales, particularly for third or later births. Typically, about 105 boys are born for every 100 girls in large populations, a ratio that has remained below 106 in Britain since 1980. However, the reports reveal that among third or later-born children of Indian ethnicity, the ratio rises to 113 boys per 100 girls, and it increases further to 117 among mothers who were born in India.

Experts suggest this skewed ratio may reflect son preference practices within some Indian families in the UK, potentially involving sex-selective abortion or the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques to influence the sex of the child. Dr. Josh Wilde, a demographer at the University of Oxford, explained that in cultures with strong son preference, pressures for sex-selection typically intensify with higher birth orders. The findings come amid concerns about gender-based discrimination and the social implications of these trends.

Rani Bilkhu, founder of the charity Jeena International, which supports South Asian women, expressed alarm, describing the phenomenon as a form of gender violence occurring even before birth. She emphasized that many women within the community are aware of these practices and the social pressures that contribute to them.

The Department of Health and Social Care in the UK reiterated that sex-selective abortion is not a lawful reason for terminating a pregnancy. Officials affirmed their commitment to taking action against any healthcare providers found to be performing abortions based on fetal sex or failing to address coercion targeting pregnant women.

While the data raises concerns about potential misuse of reproductive technologies and abortion based on sex preference, it also underscores the ongoing challenges related to cultural norms and gender equality within certain communities. Authorities and advocacy groups continue to monitor the situation to ensure legal protections are upheld and to promote awareness and support for affected women and families.