Fertility rate declined by 20% in India in 10 years: SRS data

Source: The post is based on the article “Fertility rate declined by 20% in India in 10 years: SRS data” published in TOI on 26th September 2022

What is the News?

According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) data 2020, General Fertility Rate (GFR) has declined in India by 20% over the past decade.

What are the key findings from the SRS data?

General Fertility Rate(GFR): It refers to the number of children born per 1,000 women in a year in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years.  

– The average GFR in India stood at 86.1 from 2008 to 2010 (a three-year period) and has come down to 68.7 during 2018-20 (an average of three years).

– The decline has been steeper in rural areas at 20.2% compared to 15.6% in urban areas. 

– Among the states/UTs, Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a maximum decline in GFR followed by Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan between 2008-10 and 2018-20. 

– Reasons: Increase in the age of marriage, the improved literacy rate among women and easy availability of modern contraceptive methods are some of the key factors behind this change.

Fertility Rate: The Total Fertility rate (births per woman of reproductive age) in India is 2 as per the latest SRS data. 

– Bihar has reported the highest TFR (3.0) while Delhi, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have reported the lowest TFR(1.4).  

– At present, the TFR of a rural woman is 2.2 at the national level which is higher than that of an urban woman(1.6).