BBC News Online: World: South Asia

India rapped over birth bias

Currently the sex ratio is 960 women for every 1,000 men - a statistic that the UN says reflects the lower status of women in India, who are more likely to be deprived of food, education and health services.

Women are also more likely to be aborted or even killed as babies because of many Indians' preference for sons.

A report by the UN Population Fund (UNPF) on World Population Day questions India's commitment to tackling these issues which mean India has one of the worst sex ratios in the world.

But the UN did praise India for making some progress in slowing down population growth.

The practice of killing young girls has long been recognised as a problem in India and China - both strongly patriarchal societies.

It is particularly strong in rural India and is often tied to the tradition of dowry because of which girls are seen as an economic liability.

Selective abortion

Though illegal, selective abortions of female foetuses are on the increase in India, according to the UNPF.

The numbers of female infant deaths is lower in the educated south, particularly Kerala, where there are more women than men.

India has added 2.6 million people to its total population, since it officially crossed the one billion mark on 11 May.

Its population is growing by 30 new births a minute, 1,815 per hour and 1.3m every month.

UN tribute

But under its new national population policy, India is aiming at a reduced its fertility rate.

In a statement to mark World Population Day, India's Health Minister Dr CP Thakur said unchecked growth of the population meant that more people were denied the benefits of development.