Though Punjab’s sex ratio at birth has shown a marginal improvement, rising from 922 females per 1,000 males in 2024 to 924 in 2025, the overall trend continues to remain worrisome, with 14 of the state’s 23 districts witnessing a decline.The latest data from the Punjab Health Department showed that Doaba districts Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur recorded the best performance in the state with 964 and 962 females per 1,000 males respectively. However, Punjab still remains below the national average of 928 females per 1,000 males.Muktsar emerged as the worst-performing district with 891 females per 1,000 males, followed by Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib (both at 893).Nawanshahr Civil Surgeon Dr Gurinderjit Singh said, “We have directed our ANM and ASHA workers to increase vigilance at diagnostic centres. Also, these staff keep a check on pregnant women who already have girl children as they are more likely to opt for female foeticide compared to those expecting first child.”According to the data, while some border districts have shown signs of improvement, the Malwa region continues to be the worst affected. Fazilka recorded the highest sex ratio at birth with 932 females per 1,000 males, unchanged from last year. Pathankot witnessed a notable rise, improving from 911 in 2024 to 926 in 2025.Ferozepur improved its score from 912 to 923 and Gurdaspur from 899 to 910. However, Amritsar and Tarn Taran registered a slight decline from 917 to 915 and 908 to 903, respectively.Of the 14 districts that reported a decline, 10 belong to the Malwa region. Ludhiana, Patiala, Barnala, Moga and Mansa recorded a fall in figures, highlighting persistent concerns in the region. Even Malerkotla, the state’s only Muslim-majority district, registered a decline from 956 to 952 in 2025.As per official data, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district Sangrur continues to remain among the worst-performing districts, recording 896 females per 1,000 males this year. The district has witnessed a continuous decline over the past three years, from 918 in 2023 to 901 in 2024 and further down this year.Dr Aditi Salaria, Punjab Director of Health and Family Welfare, said no complaints regarding female foeticide or violations of the PC-PNDT Act had been received so far. She said the department was monitoring antenatal registrations and abortion cases while conducting regular review meetings with Civil Surgeons across Punjab to improve the figures.