India struggling to achieve total fertility rate of 2.1 per cent

NEW DELHI: As India observes the World Population day today, the country is struggling to achieve the much-awaited goal of reaching the total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 per cent.
"In spite of perceptible decline in TFR - the average number of children born to a woman- from 3.6 in 1991 to 2.4 in 2012, India is yet to achieve replacement level of 2.1 due to slow decline in Fertility and wide variations among the states," said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in reply to a written query in Parliament today.

While 23 states and UTs have already achieved the target of total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 per cent, states like like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with large population base still have TFR of 3.3 and 3.5 per cent respectively.

Other states like Jharkhand (TFR- 2.8), Rajasthan (TFR-2.9), Madhya Pradesh (TFR- 2.9) and Chhattisgarh (TFR- 2.9) continue to have higher levels which contribute to the growth of population, Vardhan said.

As per World Population Prospects: The 2012 Revision, the population of India is likely to be around 162 crores and that of China will 138 crores by 2050.

The Health Minister further said that various measures for stabilizing the populaton have been initiated under which a rational human resource development plan is in place for provision of Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) and No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) to empower the facilities.

Further directives have been issued to the states to notify fixed days per week at primary health centres for conducting IUCD insertions.

Further, Government has been emphasising on Minilap Tubectomy services and increasing male participation and promotion of NSV, which is a safe and effective method of permanent surgical contraception for men along with improving the supply management of contraceptives.