The National Family Health Survey recorded a decline of the fertility rate of India in 2021 to 2.0 from 2.2 recorded in the previous survey conducted in 2015-16. 

The fertility rate of India in 2021 came out to be 1.6 in the urban part of the population and 2.1 in the rural part. There is a stabilisation in the population of the country. India is moving towards equilibrium with some states moving downwards in the rate of population. 

Factors Contributing Towards A Decline In The Fertility Rate

• A combination of factors is responsible for the decline in the fertility rate of India. These include the use of various contraceptives, government health schemes and various family welfare schemes. Efforts have also been made to look after a girl’s education for family planning and to improve the health and nutrition of the female population. Financial independence of women, education of girl children, late marriage and increase in prosperity are some of the factors responsible for a decline in the fertility rate of India. 
• The methods of reversible spacing have been introduced. This method promotes a gap between two children. Wage compensation has 

been made available to support sterilisation and also promotion of small family norms was undertaken over the years. 

• A national-level family planning programme was introduced by the government of India. The centre and the state governments put in consistent efforts to control and stabilise the rising population in our country. 

Positive Development

A decline in the fertility rate has proven good for our country. The government planned initiatives to control the rising population of our country. It isn’t possible for our administration to provide schools and other facilities for the young population at a fast pace keeping up with the increasing population. Our government needed stabilisation in the rate of population and with India’s fertility rate declining, the government was able to achieve its goal. 

The growth of the population in India has been stabilised. The generation of population would replace itself if the fertility rate of India keeps declining at this sustained pace. 

The National Family Health Survey

The National Family Health Survey provides data on health, population, and nutrition across the states and Union Territories of India. The latest National Family Health Survey was the fifth in its series and it was conducted in two phases because of the lockdown and restrictions imposed. Different regions in the country reflect different data of the fertility rate of India in 2021. 

The second phase of the survey conducted in 2021 reflected the rate of fertility ranging from 1.4 in Chandigarh and 2.4 in Uttar Pradesh. It covered 14 states and Union Territories. All the states achieved the replacement level of fertility having the rate 2.1. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh did not match with this data. There were five states with their fertility rates more than 2. These were Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Manipur. Haryana, Assam, Gujarat and Uttarakhand reflected the fertility rate of 1.9. Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha stood at 1.8. Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tripura, and Nagaland stood at 1.7. West Bengal had the lowest fertility rate of 1.6. 

Policies Influencing A Decline In The Fertility Rate 

Educating a girl child can be a huge factor contributing towards decline in the fertility rate of India. It improves the overall health of the family and child. Family planning policies should be promoted. Awareness in regards to reproductive health should be promoted and everyone should be encouraged to adopt these methods. Education can play a big role in preventing early marriages of girl children and preventing pregnancies. The population of the country can be kept in check if these measures are followed and taken care of. Balance can be achieved between the younger and older populations and growth can be stabilised. 

Role Of The Government

• During the Independence Day speech of the Prime Minister in 2019, he made an appeal to the country to control the population as an act of patriotism. 
• Mission Parivar Vikas was launched by the government in 2017 to promote the use of various contraceptives and increase their access. Family planning services were launched in districts with the fertility rate as high as 3 and above. 
• The National Family Planning Indemnity Scheme was launched in 2015. This scheme gave insurance to clients in cases of death by complications or failure in the process of sterilisation. 

Economic Growth 

An accelerated economic growth is one of the positive developments achieved by the declining rate of fertility. An investment in public health and education can help achieve this goal for the country. 

Conclusion

The recent survey conducted by NFHS reveals a decline in the total fertility rate of India. By following sustained family programmes, India has been able to achieve a decline in the rate of fertility from 2.2 to 2.1 in the recent search. This development is crucial for child and maternal health improvement. Family planning and women empowerment have been huge factors contributing towards a decline in the fertility rate of India.