The fertility rate in the country is falling. If you look at its data, you will find that the fertility rate is much better in more populous states like UP, Bihar and Rajasthan. At the same time, the situation is worse in Delhi and southern states. If we compare the last few years, there is a difference that this figure has fallen irrespective of the state. But the situation in some states is still better. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2023-24 data tells its entire story. Fertility rate means how many children, on average, a woman gives birth to in her lifetime. This rate is high in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan but is much less in states like Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Come, let us understand what is the main reason behind this? Why is the fertility rate high in some North Indian states and very low in South Indian states?
This difference did not happen suddenly. Not made in one day. There are many reasons behind this like education, income, health, society, impact of cities and status of women. In states like UP, Bihar and Rajasthan, a large population has lived in villages for a long time. Here early marriage, less education, limited health services and traditional thinking had more influence. This kept the families large. On the other hand, education, urbanization, jobs, health facilities and women’s participation were better in Delhi and southern states. Due to this people started having less children. Now small families are common there.
5 big reasons for high fertility rate in UP-Bihar-Rajasthan
1- Less education and especially less education of women
Where women have less education, the fertility rate is usually higher. This is directly related to awareness. Less educated women get less information about family planning, maternal health and the benefits of small families. In many areas of UP, Bihar and Rajasthan, girls leave their education midway. Even today, access to higher education is not easy in many places. When a girl leaves her studies early, she also gets married early. Then children also start growing early. Education changes thinking. Education reduces family size. The overall fact is that where education became stronger, the fertility rate came down.
2- Early marriage and early motherhood
In many areas of these states, the tradition of early marriage has still not ended completely. Legal age is a different matter, but social pressure remains a lot. When marriage occurs early, the reproductive period of the woman becomes longer. This also increases the possibility of increasing the number of children. If the first child is born early, there is a possibility of having more children in future. In many families a child is expected soon after marriage. In such an environment, the couple is not able to talk openly about family planning. Its direct impact is on the fertility rate.
3- Poverty and thinking of children as support
Children are often considered financial support in poor families. This thinking is more visible in villages and labor society. People believe that if there are more children, it will help in household work, farming and earning. There is also a fear in some families that all the children will not be able to grow up. Therefore the thought of having more children arises. However, with the improvement of health services, this thinking is gradually changing, but has not completely disappeared. Where social security is less, people consider children as their support in old age. Therefore, a large family is considered a safe option.
Family planning plays a big role in reducing the fertility rate. Photo: Pexels
4- Limited access to family planning services
Family planning plays a big role in reducing the fertility rate. But its reach, quality and awareness are still weak in many backward areas. Many women do not have complete information about contraceptive means. In some places resources are not available. In some places they are not used due to social shame or fear. Men’s participation is also less. Family planning is often considered a women’s subject only. This does not create a balance of responsibility. Where this system is weak, the birth rate is high.
5- Desire for a son and traditional social thinking
Even today in many parts of UP, Bihar and Rajasthan, the son is considered the heir of the family. Concepts like continuation of the lineage, care of elders and social prestige are attached to the son. If one or two daughters are born first, the family continues to have children until a son is born. This increases the total number of children. This is not just economic, but also social and mental reasons. Along with this, pressure from joint family, traditional beliefs and community is also added. Many times a woman gives birth to more children not out of her own will but because of the expectations of her family.
In Delhi and southern states, women’s employment participation has also increased along with their education. Photo: Pexels
5 big reasons for low fertility rate in Delhi and southern states
1- Better education and more awareness
The level of education in Delhi and the states of South India is relatively better. Women’s education in particular has made a big difference. When women read more, they take informed decisions about their health, career and family. They do not marry at a young age. They are also more capable of adopting family planning. Education makes people understand that having fewer children can lead to a better upbringing. This is the reason why small families become common in the educated society.
2- Urban life and expensive expenses
Delhi is a completely urban dominated area. Rapid urbanization has also taken place in the southern states. The cost of living is very high in cities. House rent, school fees, health expenses, transportation and everyday budget force families to think. People think that it will be difficult to provide good upbringing to more children. Therefore they consider it better to stop at one or two children. Space is also limited in urban life. Time is also less. It is not easy to strike a balance between job and family. This strengthens the trend of small families.
In Delhi and South, people do not just focus on raising a family but also on quality of life. Photo: Pexels
3- Women’s employment and economic participation
In Delhi and southern states, women’s employment participation has also increased along with their education. When women work, their priorities change. They focus on their career, financial independence and quality of life. This does not mean that they do not want a family. This means that they want to have a family after planning. They limit the number of children so that they can take good care of them. A financially strong woman is able to take her decisions more firmly. This is also a major reason for low fertility rate.
4- Strong health services and family planning
South India has long been considered better in terms of public health. Vaccination, maternal health, access to hospitals and family planning services have made a big impact there. When the health system is good, people are confident that even fewer children will be healthy. They do not feel the need to have more children. Contraceptive means are easily available. Advice is also available. This allows the couple to decide the size of their family themselves. Hospitals, private clinics and awareness campaigns are more available in Delhi also. This makes it easier to control the birth rate.
5- Change in social thinking and emphasis on quality of life
Society has changed rapidly in Delhi and southern states. Now people focus not only on raising a family but on the quality of life. They want the child to get good education. May you have good health. Got a good home. May you have a good future. In this thinking, having fewer children is considered more practical. Here the difference between son and daughter has also reduced relatively. People seem satisfied with two daughters or even one child. This change brings down the fertility rate.
Will this difference always exist?
No, this difference will not always be the same. The fertility rate is gradually decreasing in almost all the states in India. Change is also visible in UP, Bihar and Rajasthan. Education is increasing. Girls are studying further. Health services are expanding. The impact of cities is reaching the villages. But the pace of change is different in every state. Where development took place rapidly, the fertility rate declined rapidly. Where social and economic challenges were greater, this process was slow.
The reasons behind high fertility rates in UP, Bihar and Rajasthan are low education, early marriage, poverty, weak access to family planning and desire for a son. Whereas in Delhi and southern states, the fertility rate is low due to better education, urban life, women’s employment, strong health services and changed social thinking. The simple fact is that fertility rate is not just a matter of the number of children. It is also a mirror of the condition of the society. Where education, health and opportunities increase, families tend to become smaller. And where old challenges persist, fertility rates remain high.
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