NFHS data on fertility rateImage Credit source: Getty Images
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2023-24, under the Union Home Ministry, India’s fertility rate (TFR) has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1. According to the 2024 report of the Sample Registration System (SRS), the fertility rate among Indian women is continuously decreasing. TFR means how many children on an average a woman gives birth to during her fertility period (15 to 49 years). According to this report, the number of children per woman in Bihar in India has been estimated to be around 3. Apart from this, fertility rate is also better in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
But this figure has fallen significantly in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. According to the report, the fertility rate in Tamil Nadu has been seen at 1.6. Know how the fertility rate is according to this report and what methods can be tried to improve it.
Average fertility rate of the country
Here we are talking about the population growth rate of the country. Today the average fertility rate of the country has come down to below 2. According to reports, it has come down to 1.9 in 2025. Let us tell you that India’s total fertility rate (TFR) will be 1.9 in 2024, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. Between 1971 and 1981, TFR ranged from 5.2 to 4.5. Between 1991 and 2024 it came down from 3.6 to 1.9. If seen, according to the data from the year 1971 to 2024, it has decreased from 5.4 to 2.1.
According to this, a woman in India now gives birth to only 2 children in her fertility period. Experts say that any state or society in any country needs a fertility rate of at least 2.1 to maintain its population. But this figure for the entire country has reached 1.9.
Situation is tight in the states of South India
Fertility rate in Tamil Nadu – If we look at the fertility rate of 5 states of South India, on an average a woman gives birth to 1.6 children in the urban areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Whereas the figures of Andhra (2.0) and Tamil Nadu (1.8) have been revealed in their rural areas. However, the fertility rate of women in rural areas of Andhra Pradesh has been estimated to be better. In urban areas of Telangana this rate has come down to only 1.7. The fertility rate in urban areas of Karnataka and Telangana has been recorded at 1.7. In Kerala, the urban rate has been recorded at 1.8 and the rural rate has been recorded at 1.9.
Fertility rate in the states of North India
If we look at the fertility rate in Bihar, the situation is better here. In the rural areas of Bihar, the number of times a woman gives birth to a child is 2.8, while in the city this number is 2.1. Uttar Pradesh has been assessed at 2.3 (rural), 1.8 (urban), Madhya Pradesh at 2.3 (rural) – 1.7 (urban) and Rajasthan at 2.2 (rural) – 1.7 (urban).
Why is the fertility rate decreasing in women?
- One of the major reasons for decreasing fertility rate of women in India is late marriage. This is being seen more in cities.
- Due to giving priority to career, women delay marriage and face the problem of reduced fertility. Most women are more active in job or business.
- Due to the idea of small family, the fertility rate among women and men is also decreasing. The thinking of ‘Hum Do, Hamare Do’ is becoming more popular among the people.
- Apart from giving priority to career, increasing expenditure also remains a big problem among the people. Expenses or costs related to education, health and lifestyle have increased.
- Decision making ability of women has also increased. Women are taking more part in decisions related to family and motherhood.
