While the multi-dimensional headcount ratio of men in 2011-2012 was 0.40, it was 0.68 in the case of women (Table 11-21). The Alkire and Foster index of women was 0.28 as against 0.10 for men. The gender bias index was thus as high as 3.0, indicating that women are three times more deprived than men. There have also been structural changes in the population, including an improved sex ratio, reduced birth rates, a rise in the average age at marriage, improved longevity and progressive ageing of the population.