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General fertility rate in India from 1992 to 2021

UID: PD-20240823-IN-01

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Meta Data

Source

Demographic and Health Surveys

Last Updated

August 23, 2024

Time Range

1992 – 2021

Periodicity

5 Years (Apporx)

Overview

The General fertility rate (GFR) is defined as the number of live births per 1,000 women of childbearing age, typically between the ages of 15 and 49, in a given year. This measure provides a more precise indicator of fertility than the crude birth rate because it focuses only on the subset of the population that can actually give birth. GFR is a vital demographic measure that provides a clear picture of the reproductive behaviour of a population. Unlike broader measures like the crude birth rate, the GFR focuses specifically on the fertility of women within their childbearing years. This article will delve into what the General Fertility Rate is, how it is calculated, and its various applications in demographic research, public health, and policy-making.

Trends & Insights

The general fertility rate is a more refined measure of fertility compared to the crude birth rate, as it considers the number of births per 1,000 women of reproductive age (typically 15-49 years old) in a given year. In 1992-93, India’s GFR was 130 births per 1,000 women of reproductive age, which dropped to 72 in 2019-21, representing a 44.6% decrease over the period. This decline has been steady and consistent across all survey years. The most substantial drop occurred between the 1992-93 and 1998-99 surveys when the GFR fell from 130 to 110 and recorded a decrease of 20 points. Subsequent surveys showed the same pattern of decline by reporting GFR of 101 in 2005-06, 81 in 2015-16, and finally 72 in 2019-21.

This downward trend in the general fertility rate aligns with the previously observed declines in the total wanted fertility rate, total fertility rate, and crude birth rate, further reinforcing the narrative of India’s ongoing demographic transition. The falling GFR indicates that women of reproductive age are having fewer children, which has significant implications for India’s population dynamics and socio-economic development. Several factors likely contribute to this decline in fertility: Increased female education and empowerment, Greater access to and acceptance of family planning methods, Improved healthcare services, particularly in maternal and child health, Urbanization and changing lifestyle patterns, Increased women’s participation in the workforce, Shifting societal norms regarding family size and the role of women, Economic factors, including the rising cost of raising children and aspirations for a higher standard of living.

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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

Demographic and Health Surveys. (2024). General fertility rate in India from 1992 to 2021 (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. 360 Analytika. https://360analytika.com/general-fertility-rate-in-india/

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