India Fertility Rate Drops Below 2.1 for Fifth Year: SRS 2024 Report

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Deaths from road accidents have gone up. They rose from 2.9% to 3.2%. This means more people are dying on Indian roads. Bad roads, drunk driving, and lack of helmets or seat belts are common reasons.

Suicides

Suicides now make up 2.8% of all deaths. Earlier it was 2.5%. Mental health remains a serious concern. Stress, money problems, and loneliness are pushing some people to take this step.

Sex Ratio at Birth: A Small Improvement

The sex ratio at birth for 2022-24 is 918 girls per thousand male children. In 2021-23, it was 917. The improvement is very small. But any increase is welcome. A healthy sex ratio should be around 952 or higher. India still has a long way to go to stop female foeticide and gender-based discrimination.

What Is Replacement Level Fertility?

In simple words, replacement level fertility is 2.1 children per woman. If every woman has exactly 2.1 children, the population will eventually stop growing and stay the same. If the rate is below 2.1, the population will slowly shrink. India’s TFR of 1.9 means we are below replacement level. This is similar to countries like China and many European nations.

What Does This Mean for India?

A falling fertility rate has both good and bad sides. The good side: fewer children means more resources for each child. Better education and healthcare become possible. The bad side: an ageing population. Fewer young people will have to support more old people. The government will need to plan for pensions, old-age homes, and healthcare for the elderly. The rising death rate from heart disease and accidents is a warning. India needs better public health campaigns. It also needs safer roads and better mental health support.

Exam-Focused Points

• Crude death rate (2024):  6.4 deaths per thousand population (up from 6.0 in 2019-20)

• Total fertility rate (2024):  1.9 children per woman (below replacement level 2.1 for fifth consecutive year)

• Crude birth rate (2024):  18.3 per thousand (down from 18.4 in 2023)

• Infant mortality rate (2024):  24 per thousand live births (down from 25 in 2023)

• Urban death rate:  5.6 (down from 5.7);  Rural death rate:  6.8 (unchanged)

• Respiratory infection deaths:  5.7% of total deaths (up from 3.6% in 2017-19)

• Cardiovascular diseases deaths:  32.1% (up from 31%)

• Motor vehicle accident deaths:  3.2% (up from 2.9%)

• Suicide deaths:  2.8% (up from 2.5%)

• Sex ratio at birth (2022-24):  918 girls per 1,000 boys (up from 917)

• Sample Registration System:  Published by Office of