India’s fertility rate fell by two-thirds

01 / ACROSS INDIA

Only five states were above 2.1

In the 2019–21 household survey, 5 of 36 states and territories were above the approximate replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. Bihar was at 3.0, while Sikkim was at 1.1. Each tile represents one survey entry, regardless of population size.

02 / NATIONAL TREND

From nearly six to under two

In 1960, India’s total fertility rate was 5.92 births per woman. By 2000 it was 3.35. The World Bank series first fell below the commonly used replacement benchmark of 2.1 in 2020 and reached 1.96 in 2024.

Crossing 2.1 does not mean the population starts shrinking that year. The number of people already entering or passing through childbearing ages affects how births and deaths balance, and migration also affects population change.

03 / WHAT CHANGED

The national figure hides different trajectories

In the household survey, Bihar fell from 3.4 to 3.0 between rounds. Uttar Pradesh also fell but remained above 2.1. Kerala moved in the other direction, from 1.6 to 1.8, and stayed below the benchmark. The chart shows six cases; the data table includes all 36 entries published for the latest survey round.