The Sample Registration System (SRS) is a large-scale demographic survey conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Covering nearly 8.8 million people, it tracks key indicators such as birth rates, death rates, and fertility patterns. For over five decades, SRS has provided reliable national and state-level data essential for policy formulation and development planning.
India’s demographic indicators show consistent improvement. The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) have declined, while life expectancy and literacy levels continue to rise. The country is gradually moving closer to developed-nation benchmarks, though significant regional disparities persist between advanced and lagging states.
Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Number of live births per 1,000 people in a year.
General Fertility Rate (GFR): Number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15–49 years.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, based on current birth rates.
These indicators are key to understanding population growth patterns and predicting future demographic shifts.
In 2023, India recorded:
CBR = 18.4 per 1,000 population
GFR = 64.3 per 1,000 women (15–49 years)
TFR = 1.9 children per woman
A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level — where population remains stable. India’s TFR of 1.9 indicates that population growth is nearing stabilization, similar to developed nations like the UK (1.6) and France (1.7).
India’s rural TFR (2.1) is at replacement level, while the urban TFR (1.5) is significantly lower. Rural fertility still contributes more to population growth, though the urban decline reflects a demographic transition toward smaller family norms.
High TFR states (above replacement level): Jharkhand (2.1), Chhattisgarh (2.2), Rajasthan (2.3), Madhya Pradesh (2.4), Uttar Pradesh (2.6), Bihar (2.8).
Low TFR states (below replacement level): Maharashtra (1.4), Tamil Nadu (1.3), West Bengal (1.3), and Delhi (1.2) — comparable to Japan’s fertility levels.
The 0–14 age group forms 24.2% of India’s population — similar to other middle-income countries. This young population can be a demographic dividend if supported by quality education, employment, and healthcare. However, states like Uttar Pradesh (27.5%) and Bihar (32%) have much higher shares, putting pressure on resources, while states like Himachal Pradesh (13.2%) and Tamil Nadu (14%) are ageing faster.
The proportion of Indians aged 60+ years rose to 9.7% in 2023. States such as Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have larger elderly populations, demanding robust healthcare, pension, and social security systems to ensure dignified ageing.
India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has fallen dramatically from 241 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1961 to 29 in 2023 — a major success attributed to better healthcare, immunization, and nutrition. However, states like Chhattisgarh (41), Madhya Pradesh (44), and Uttar Pradesh (42) still lag behind Kerala (8) and Tamil Nadu (12).
Wide regional differences dilute national progress. States such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh continue to record high fertility, elevated IMR, and low female literacy — offsetting the advances made by southern and western states. Bridging these gaps is essential for achieving balanced national development.
India’s demographic performance now aligns with that of middle-income nations like Brazil and Thailand. However, to match OECD standards, India must continue improving health outcomes, education, and gender equality — especially in its less-developed regions.
Major challenges include:
India must transform its youthful population into productive human capital while ensuring social support for its ageing citizens.
To sustain growth and demographic balance, the government must:
A strategic demographic policy — balancing fertility, employment, and ageing — will determine how effectively India turns its population into its greatest strength.
Kutos : AI Assistant!
