NEWS – Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 report released

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India (2021)

• The TFR at the national level remains at 2.0, the same as in 2020.
• TFR refers to the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime.

2. State-wise TFR Highlights

• Highest TFR:
  • Bihar: 3.0
• Lowest TFR:
  • Delhi: 1.4
  • West Bengal: 1.4

3. Population Age Group Trends (1971–2021)

• Age 0-14 years:
  • Declined from 41.2% (1971) to 24.8% (2021)
• Age 15-59 years (economically active population):
  • Increased from 53.4% to 66.2%
• Elderly population:
  • Age 60+ increased from 6% to 9%
  • Age 65+ rose from 5.3% to 5.9%

4. Elderly Population Distribution by State

• Highest percentage of 60+ population:
  • Kerala: 14.4%
  • Tamil Nadu: 12.9%
  • Himachal Pradesh: 12.3%
• Lowest percentage of 60+ population:
  • Bihar: 6.9%
  • Assam: 7.0%
  • Delhi: 7.1%

5. Mean Age at Marriage (Females)

• Increased from 19.3 years (1990) to 22.5 years (2021)

6. Replacement Level Fertility Achieved

• Replacement level TFR: 2.1
• States/UTs below replacement level:
  • Delhi (1.4), West Bengal (1.4), Tamil Nadu (1.5), Andhra Pradesh (1.5), Jammu and Kashmir (1.5), Kerala (1.5), Maharashtra (1.5), Punjab (1.5), Himachal Pradesh (1.6), Telangana (1.6), Karnataka (1.6), Odisha (1.8), Uttarakhand (1.8), Gujarat (2.0), Haryana (2.0)
  • Assam meets replacement level at 2.1

7. Population and Policy Implications

• Despite perceptions of rapid population growth, data suggests a stabilizing trend.
• Union Budget 2024 announcement: Formation of a high-powered committee to address demographic changes (committee formation pending).
• Census data collection, delayed since 2021, is critical for a full demographic picture.

8. Scope and Coverage of the SRS Survey

• Conducted across 8,842 sample units
• Covered a sample population of approximately 84 lakh individuals
• Provides annual estimates of fertility and mortality indicators