Governance

India’s National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5) recorded a decline in the total fertility rate

·         In a milestone, India’s National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5) recorded a decline within the total fertility rate (the average youngsters a lady has) from 2.2 within the previous survey (2015-16) to two within the latest one.

·        And here too, it was 1.6 in urban areas and two.1 during a rural setting.

·        The dip in fertility is being attributed to a combination of factors, as well as better contraception initiatives and health and family welfare schemes from the govt..

·        But a key factor is that the education of the girl kid and efforts to enhance overall health and nutrition.

·        Across geographies theres a declining trend, however experts believe that india should still be on the path to becoming the foremost populous nation.

·        India has achieved replacement level fertility (pegged at 2.1), defined because the level at that the decline on a sustained basis would result in a generation replacement itself.

·        According to reports, 5 States with TFR above two, were Bihar, Meghalaya, uttar pradesh, Jharkhand and manipur. TFR was the bottom during this survey in west bengal, at 1.6.