Context:
The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has released the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024, India’s most authoritative source for annual fertility, birth, and mortality estimates. The report confirms a historic demographic shift: India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1, meaning the average Indian woman now has fewer children than needed to replace the parent generation over time.
Key Highlights of India’s 2024 Population and Vital Statistics Report
- India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 1.9, falling below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating a slowing population growth trend.
- The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) dropped from 21.0 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024, reflecting a steady decline in birth rates.
- The Crude Death Rate (CDR) marginally declined to 6.4 in 2024, indicating improved healthcare and life expectancy.
- The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) improved significantly, declining to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 30 in 2019.
- The Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) reduced to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, showing continued improvement in child healthcare outcomes.
- India’s demographic profile is shifting, with the 0–14 age group falling to 24%, while the working-age population (15–59 years) expanded to 66.4%.
- The share of the elderly population (60+ years) increased to 9.7%, highlighting the gradual ageing of India’s population.
- The mean age at effective marriage for women rose to 23.1 years, indicating improving educational attainment and delayed marriages.
- The Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) improved slightly to 918 females per 1,000 males during the 2022–24 period.
- Institutional healthcare access strengthened further, with 95.4% of live births occurring in hospitals or healthcare institutions in 2024.
Quick recap of the headline numbers:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| TFR (national) | 1.9 (below 2.1 replacement level) |
| CBR | 18.3 (from 21.0 in 2014) |
| CDR | 6.4 |
| IMR (national) | 24 per 1,000 live births |
| U5MR | 28 per 1,000 live births |
| Institutional deliveries | 95.4 per cent |
| Sex Ratio at Birth (2022-24 avg) | 918 |
| Mean age at marriage (women) | 23.1 years (rural 22.6, urban 24.4) |
| Median age | 29.2 years |
| Population 0-14 | 24.0 per cent |
| Population 15-59 | 66.4 per cent |
| Population 60+ | 9.7 per cent |
| Deaths without formal medical attention | 45.5 per cent |
State-level extremes (very testable):
| Indicator | High Performer | Low Performer |
|---|---|---|
| IMR | Kerala: 8 | Chhattisgarh: 36 |
| TFR (lowest pockets) | Delhi: 1.2, Kerala: 1.3 | Among the lowest in India |
| Rural IMR (national) | About 27 per 1,000 | Far higher than urban |
Background Concepts (Q&A)
What is “Total Fertility Rate” (TFR), and Why is the 2.1 Replacement Level Important?
The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the average number of children that a woman would have over her lifetime if she experienced the current age-specific fertility rates throughout her reproductive years (roughly 15-49 years). The replacement level of TFR is around 2.1, meaning that each woman, on average, needs to have about 2.1 children for the population to remain stable over the long run (a little above 2 because some children do not reach reproductive age). When TFR is above 2.1, the population is growing through natural increase; when it is below 2.1, the population will eventually stabilise and then start declining, even if it continues to grow for some years due to demographic momentum (a large young population already in childbearing age). India’s TFR falling to 1.9 is therefore a structural milestone, signalling that India is now on the same demographic path as most middle-income and high-income countries, with major long-term implications for the labour force, pension systems, healthcare needs, urbanisation, and family structures.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024, consider the following statements:
- India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.
- The Crude Birth Rate has fallen from 21.0 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024.
- The Infant Mortality Rate has come down to 24 per 1,000 live births.
- The Under-Five Mortality Rate has declined to 28 per 1,000 live births.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. Consider the following statements about findings of the SRS 2024 Report on women’s health and demographic structure:
- The mean age at effective marriage for Indian women has risen to 23.1 years.
- Approximately 95.4 per cent of live births in India are institutional deliveries.
- The Sex Ratio at Birth for the 2022-24 three-year average stands at 918 females per 1,000 males.
- The share of population aged 0-14 years has risen above 30 per cent.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q3. Consider the following statements about Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and the demographic dividend:
- TFR is the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her reproductive lifetime.
- The replacement level of TFR is generally taken as around 2.1.
- India’s demographic dividend window is broadly expected to last until the late 2040s.
- A working-age population larger than dependents is a key condition for the demographic dividend.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q4. With reference to regional and end-of-life findings in the SRS 2024 Report, consider the following statements:
- Kerala has an Infant Mortality Rate of around 8 per 1,000 live births, among the lowest in India.
- Chhattisgarh continues to face a heavy infant mortality burden of around 36.
- About 45.5 per cent of deaths in India occur without formal medical attention.
- Delhi has a Total Fertility Rate of around 1.2, while Kerala has a TFR of around 1.3.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong; according to SRS 2024, the share of 0-14 age group has fallen to 24.0 per cent, NOT risen above 30 per cent. The share of the working-age group (15-59) has expanded to 66.4 per cent, and the elderly group (60+) to 9.7 per cent.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
