Total fertility rate (TFR) is a pivotal demographic measure used to estimate the average number of children a woman would have during her lifetime if she were to experience the exact current age-specific fertility rates throughout her childbearing years. The TFR represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime based on current age-specific fertility rates. Unlike other fertility measures, such as the Crude Birth Rate, which does not account for the age distribution of births, the TFR provides a more comprehensive view of fertility by considering the specific age at which births occur.The Total Fertility Rate is calculated using the following steps: Collect data on the number of live births to women in each specific age group (usually 5-year intervals) and divide by the number of women in those age groups. This gives the age-specific fertility rate for each age group. Add together the age-specific fertility rates for all age groups and multiply by the number of years in the age interval (usually five years if using 5-year age groups). The result represents the Total Fertility Rate, providing the average number of children a woman would have if current age-specific rates remain constant throughout her lifetime.

The fertility rate of women in India was about *** in rural regions and *** in urban regions in 2020. Furthermore, the north Indian state of Bihar had the highest total fertility rate of about ***** in rural and urban areas in that year.

The projected crude birth rate in India, at national level, was expected to decrease to about ** births per thousand people by 2031 to 2035 as opposed to the national crude birth rate from 2011 to 2015 which stood at more than ** births per thousand people. At state level, Bihar reflected the highest crude birth rate from 2011 to 2015 as well as the highest projected crude birth rate from 2031-2035. By contrast, the states with the lowest projected crude birth rates were Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh during the same time period.

In 2020, the state of Bihar had the highest rural birth rate of 26.2 births per 1,000 inhabitants. It was followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Among the larger states and union territories, the southern state of Kerala had the lowest birth rate in the rural areas that year.

This layer shows Life Expectancy at Birth & Total Fertility Rate for Major States as per the Economic Survey Report 2024-2025Source of data: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/stat/tab8.1.pdfNote: Andhra Pradesh includes Telangana till the year 2014 and Jammu & Kashmir includes Ladakh till the year 2018This web layer is offered by Esri India, for ArcGIS Online subscribers. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know via content@esri.in.

Total Fertility Rate: India: Urban data was reported at 1.600 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.700 NA for 2019. Total Fertility Rate: India: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 1.800 NA from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2020, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.100 NA in 2005 and a record low of 1.600 NA in 2020. Total Fertility Rate: India: Urban data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH006: Vital Statistics: Total Fertility Rate.

Total Fertility Rate: India: Rural data was reported at 2.200 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.300 NA for 2019. Total Fertility Rate: India: Rural data is updated yearly, averaging 2.550 NA from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2020, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.200 NA in 2005 and a record low of 2.200 NA in 2020. Total Fertility Rate: India: Rural data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH006: Vital Statistics: Total Fertility Rate.

This layer shows Total Fertility Rate (Children per women) across states and UTs of India.Data source: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/stat/tab8.18.pdfNote: In NFHS-5, Jammu & Kashmir is Union Territory excluding Ladakh (UT). NFHS-5, Survey done over two years.This web layer is offered by Esri India, for ArcGIS Online subscribers. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know via content@esri.in.

Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Rajasthan data was reported at 23.500 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 23.700 NA for 2019. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Rajasthan data is updated yearly, averaging 27.200 NA from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2020, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.600 NA in 1998 and a record low of 23.500 NA in 2020. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Rajasthan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH002: Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: by States.

The birth rate, also known as the crude birth rate, is a key demographic indicator that measures the number of live births occurring in a population per 1,000 people annually. This vital statistic provides insight into population growth and is often used by policymakers, researchers, and governments to understand trends in fertility, family planning, and societal development. A high birth rate generally indicates a growing population, while a low birth rate may suggest declining growth or aging demographics. Factors influencing birth rates include cultural, economic, social, and environmental conditions. Countries with advanced healthcare systems and access to education often see lower birth rates, as families may opt for fewer children. In contrast, regions with limited access to family planning and healthcare may experience higher birth rates. Understanding the birth rate is crucial for managing resources, planning social services, and predicting future population changes on both national and global scales.

The fertility rate of a country is the average number of children that women from that country will have throughout their reproductive years. From 1880 until 1970, India's fertility rate was very consistent, and women of this time had an average of 5.7 to six children over the course of their lifetime. In the second half of the twentieth century, the fertility rate dropped considerably, and has continued to drop in the 2000s. This decrease in the rate of fertility follows a common correlation between quality of life and fertility, where the fertility rate decreases as the standard of living improves. In 1947, after almost a century, the Indian independence movement finally achieved its goal, and India was able to self rule. From this point onwards, Indian socio-economic improvements led to a decreased fertility rate, which is expected to fall to 2.2 in 2020.

Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Uttar Pradesh data was reported at 25.100 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 25.400 NA for 2019. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Uttar Pradesh data is updated yearly, averaging 28.700 NA from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2020, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32.800 NA in 2000 and a record low of 25.100 NA in 2020. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Uttar Pradesh data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH002: Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: by States.

Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: West Bengal data was reported at 14.600 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.900 NA for 2019. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: West Bengal data is updated yearly, averaging 17.200 NA from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2020, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.300 NA in 1998 and a record low of 14.600 NA in 2020. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: West Bengal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH002: Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: by States.

In 2020, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh had the highest urban birth rate of 22.1 births per 1,000 inhabitants. It was followed by states of Bihar and Rajasthan. Among other states, Himachal Pradesh had the lowest birth rate in the urban areas that year.

The data shows the year, state and region wise estimated birth rates, death rates, infant mortality rates by residence

Note: Infant Mortality Rate for smaller States & Union Territories are based on three-years period 2013-15.

In 2023, the total fertility rate in children per woman in India was 1.98. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 3.94, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Himachal Pradesh: Urban data was reported at 10.000 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.100 NA for 2019. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Himachal Pradesh: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 11.700 NA from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2020, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.000 NA in 1998 and a record low of 10.000 NA in 2020. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Himachal Pradesh: Urban data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH002: Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: by States.

Total Fertility Rate: Maharashtra: Rural data was reported at 1.600 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.700 NA for 2019. Total Fertility Rate: Maharashtra: Rural data is updated yearly, averaging 1.950 NA from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2020, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.400 NA in 2005 and a record low of 1.600 NA in 2020. Total Fertility Rate: Maharashtra: Rural data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAH006: Vital Statistics: Total Fertility Rate.

In 2025, there are six countries, all in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average woman of childbearing age can expect to have between 5-6 children throughout their lifetime. In fact, of the 20 countries in the world with the highest fertility rates, Afghanistan and Yemen are the only countries not found in Sub-Saharan Africa. High fertility rates in Africa With a fertility rate of almost six children per woman, Chad is the country with the highest fertility rate in the world. Population growth in Chad is among the highest in the world. Lack of healthcare access, as well as food instability, political instability, and climate change, are all exacerbating conditions that keep Chad's infant mortality rates high, which is generally the driver behind high fertility rates. This situation is common across much of the continent, and, although there has been considerable progress in recent decades, development in Sub-Saharan Africa is not moving as quickly as it did in other regions. Demographic transition While these countries have the highest fertility rates in the world, their rates are all on a generally downward trajectory due to a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. The third stage (of five) of this transition sees birth rates drop in response to decreased infant and child mortality, as families no longer feel the need to compensate for lost children. Eventually, fertility rates fall below replacement level (approximately 2.1 children per woman), which eventually leads to natural population decline once life expectancy plateaus. In some of the most developed countries today, low fertility rates are creating severe econoic and societal challenges as workforces are shrinking while aging populations are placin a greater burden on both public and personal resources.

In 2023, the crude birth rate in live births per 1,000 inhabitants in India stood at 16.15. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 26.75, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.