UK data suggests uneven birth ratio among British Indians, raises concerns over ‘sex-selective’ abortions: Report

A recent report of the United Kingdom has raised serious concerns about an uneven sex ratio among British Indians, suggesting a preference for male children and possible instances of sex-selective abortions.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, for every 113 boys born to UK Indian parents, only 100 girls are born, a disparity that has reignited debate over illegal sex selection practices.

Sex-selective abortion is illegal in England and Wales, and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has clearly stated that terminating a pregnancy on the basis of a foetus sex is not a lawful ground for abortion and will not be tolerated.

The analysis estimated that the imbalance may have corresponded to the termination of around 400 female foetuses.

Concerns have also been raised that proposed moves to decriminalise abortion through amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill could potentially lead to an increase in sex-selective terminations, though the government maintains that safeguards would remain in place.

Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in 2023, India remained the most common country of birth for non-UK-born mothers and fathers, with Pakistan ranking second.

The report has sparked renewed calls for stricter monitoring, community engagement, and enforcement to ensure that existing abortion laws are upheld and gender-based discrimination is prevented.