Elector Gender Ratio in India from 1st Lok Sabha Election to 18th Lok Sabha Election

In 1971, the ratio stood at 910 female electors per 1000 male electors, indicating a significant gender imbalance in voter registration. Over the subsequent five decades, this ratio has fluctuated, showing both progress and regression, but with an overall trend toward greater gender balance. During the 1980s, there was an encouraging upward trend, with the ratio rising to 940 by 1989—the highest point until very recently. However, this progress was followed by a substantial decline in the 1991-92 elections, when the ratio fell to 902. This regression might reflect the socio-political turbulence of the early 1990s and its differential impact on female electoral participation. The period from 1996 through 2009 showed relative stability, with the ratio hovering around 913-921. However, the 2014 election saw another concerning dip to 908, which represented one of the lowest points in the time series. This fluctuation suggests that progress toward gender parity in electoral rolls has not been linear or guaranteed. The 2019 election saw the ratio improve to 926, and by 2024, it reached 946 (highest). This recent upward trajectory suggests that efforts to increase women’s participation in the electoral process may be yielding results, possibly reflecting broader societal changes in gender relations and women’s empowerment. Despite this progress, it’s important to note that even the highest ratio of 946 in 2024 still falls short of natural demographic parity (which would be closer to 1000), indicating that structural barriers to women’s electoral registration persist. The overall trend, however, especially the significant improvement in the last two elections, provides a hopeful indicator for the future of gender inclusivity in Indian democracy, suggesting that the electoral system is gradually becoming more representative of the country’s actual gender composition.