India's Demographic Transition: Declining Fertility and an Ageing Population (SRS 2023)
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian and World Geography - Demographics (CBR, TFR, population growth); Social Development; National Bodies (Registrar General of India); Important Reports (SRS).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society & Geography): Population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues; Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India (Demographic Diversity).
General Studies Paper 2 (Social Justice): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population (Elderly).
Essay: Topics on Population, Demographic Dividend/Disaster, and Ageing Society.
Key Highlights from the News
The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report for 2023, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), indicates a significant decline in India's birth rate.
The country's Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has decreased to 18.4, and the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 1.9.
India's TFR (1.9) is below the replacement level of 2.1, which is necessary to sustain a generation. 18 states and Union Territories are below this level.
There is a significant demographic divide among states:
Highest TFR: Bihar (2.8), Uttar Pradesh (2.6).
Lowest TFR: Delhi (1.2), West Bengal (1.3), Tamil Nadu (1.3).
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