India’s fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1. This decline is influenced by various factors such as lifestyle, health problems, and economic pressures.
India’s declining fertility rate: Key points
- Declining fertility rate: India’s fertility rate is projected to decline from 2 in 1950 to 2 children per woman by 2024.
- Below replacement level: The current fertility rate is below the replacement level of 1, which is likely to lead to population decline in the future.
- In line with global trends: This shift is in line with the decline in global fertility rates, but it presents both new challenges and opportunities for India.
- Causes: Lifestyle changes, health problems, and economic pressures are the major reasons for this decline.
- Impacts: Population decline may have long-term impacts on social and economic structure.
- Opportunities and Challenges: Declining fertility rate may reduce pressure on resources, but may also lead to problems such as lack of support in the labour force and old age.
Causes of Declining Fertility Rate
- Urbanization and modern lifestyle: Women prefer smaller families due to better access to education, career, and health services. Delaying marriage and focusing on career shortens the reproductive span.
- Family planning and awareness: Easy access to contraception and family planning services is allowing people to decide their family size.
- Economic pressure: Rising living costs and expensive cities have made it difficult to raise many children.
- Women’s empowerment: Increased participation of women in education and employment has led to smaller families.
Positive effects of declining fertility rate
- Improved living standards: Fewer dependents allow families to access better education, health care, and housing.
- Sustainable management of resources: Slower population growth reduces pressure on natural resources such as water, land, and energy.
- Focus on women empowerment: Smaller families allow women to pursue education and career opportunities.
Negative effects of declining fertility rate
- Ageing of population: A massive increase in the number of senior citizens in India by 2050 will increase pressure on healthcare services.
- Labour shortage: Smaller workforce in labour-intensive industries may hamper economic growth.
- Declining number of youth: Currently, India’s population below 25 years of age is beneficial, but this advantage may end in the future due to declining fertility rate.
Statistics related to fertility rate in India
Decline in fertility rate in India
- Lancet study: India’s fertility rate is continuously declining. It may fall to 29 by 2050, which is much below the replacement level (2.1).
- National Family Health Survey (2019-21): The country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen to 0 at the national level. It is 1.6 in urban areas and 2.1 in rural areas.
- Global Burden of Disease Study (2021): India’s TFR was 6.18 in 1950, which fell to 60 in 1980 and 1.91 in 2021.