India’s Fertility Rate Drops Below Replacement Level Signaling Major Demographic Shift
India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped below the replacement level of 2.1 for the first time, reaching 1.9 according to the 2024 Sample Registration System Statistical Report. This significant demographic shift reveals regional disparities, with Bihar exhibiting the highest TFR at 2.9 and Delhi the lowest at 1.2. A notable rural-urban divide persists, with rural TFR at 2.1 compared to 1.5 in urban areas, alongside a widening demographic gap between the aging southern states and younger northern states. While institutional deliveries have risen sharply to 95.4%, concerns remain regarding access to qualified medical care at the time of death and the sex ratio at birth.
John Q. Hosedrinker