By Soniya:
India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen below the replacement level for the first time, reaching 1.9 children per woman in 2024, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024 released by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. The decline marks a significant demographic milestone, indicating that India is moving toward a more stable population structure.
The replacement fertility level is generally considered to be 2.1 children per woman, the rate required for a population to replace itself from one generation to the next without migration. India’s fertility rate has steadily declined from 4.6 in 1985 to 1.9 in 2024, reflecting improvements in education, healthcare, urbanization, and family planning.
However, the report highlights major regional disparities. Bihar recorded the highest fertility rate at 2.9, while Delhi registered the lowest at 1.2. Southern states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu have entered advanced stages of demographic transition, characterized by low fertility and ageing populations, whereas states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh continue to have younger populations and relatively higher birth rates.
The report also revealed a decline in the General Fertility Rate (GFR) and continued improvements in institutional deliveries. At the same time, challenges remain in areas such as neonatal mortality, child health outcomes, healthcare access, and gender balance at birth. More than 70% of births now occur in government health facilities, reflecting progress in maternal and child healthcare services.
The findings underscore India’s evolving demographic landscape and highlight the need for region-specific policies to address ageing populations, workforce planning, healthcare access, and social development in the coming decades.
