New Delhi: Thirty-one out of 36 states and Union Territories in India have achieved the replacement level of fertility rate of 2.1. However, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Manipur continue to have higher than desired fertility rates, reported The Times of India.
Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel also emphasised targeted interventions to reduce the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in these regions.
On World Population Day, Nadda highlighted the importance of maintaining smaller families for achieving a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India). Maintaining the health of India’s families through smaller families is seen as a key factor in achieving this goal.
Patel noted that a significant portion of India’s population—over 65 per cent —is within the reproductive age group. She stressed the need to provide this demographic with choices to prevent unplanned family growth. The family planning program has expanded from a two-phase to a three-phase initiative, which includes the preparatory phase, community participation, and service delivery.
“While earlier it used to be a two-phased programme, it has now been expanded to three phases: preparatory phase, community participation and service delivery,” said Patel.
The family planning program’s long-term efforts have shown promising results. Over seven decades of activity, 31 out of 36 states and Union Territories have achieved the replacement level of TFR. Patel urged Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Manipur to take concerted actions to reduce their TFR.
“It is also encouraging to note that acceptance of modern contraceptives in the country has increased to over 56 per cent ,” Patel added.
India’s TFR has seen a significant decline from 6.18 in 1950 to 4.6 in 1980. By 2021, it had reduced further to 1.91, below the replacement level needed to maintain a stable population size. A recent study suggests that by 2050, India’s TFR may fall to 1.29.
Poonam Mutreja, Executive Director of Population Foundation of India, pointed out that economic development typically leads to higher costs of raising children, which in turn, encourages families to have fewer children.
As India continues to develop economically, the focus on smaller family sizes and the use of modern contraceptives appear to be key strategies for managing population growth effectively.
