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.

Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) in India was reported at 16.15 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Birth rate, crude - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for India (SPDYNTFRTININD) from 1960 to 2023 about fertility, India, and rate.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Crude Birth Rate for India (SPDYNCBRTININD) from 1960 to 2023 about birth, crude, India, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Adolescent Fertility Rate for India (SPADOTFRTIND) from 1960 to 2023 about 15 to 19 years, fertility, India, and rate.

India: The number of crude births per 1000 people, per year: The latest value from 2022 is 16.27 births per 1000 people, a decline from 16.42 births per 1000 people in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 18.38 births per 1000 people, based on data from 195 countries. Historically, the average for India from 1960 to 2022 is 30.5 births per 1000 people. The minimum value, 16.27 births per 1000 people, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 42.51 births per 1000 people was recorded in 1960.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in India was reported at 1.975 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

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 (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.

In India, the crude birth rate in 1880 was 41.5 live births per thousand people, meaning that approximately 4.2 percent of the population had been born in that year. After an initial jump from 40.9 to 46.5 births per thousand between 1885 and 1890, India's crude birth rate remained consistent at just over 45 until the middle of the twentieth century. It was during the late 1940s that India gained its independence from the British Empire, and from this point the crude birth rate has gradually decreased from over 45 births per thousand people in 1945, to below twenty today. In 2020, it is expected to be just 18 births per thousand.

India Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Rural data was reported at 22.100 NA in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22.400 NA for 2015. India Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Rural data is updated yearly, averaging 30.500 NA from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2016, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 38.900 NA in 1971 and a record low of 22.100 NA in 2016. India Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Rural data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.GAH001: Vital Statistics.

Crude birth rate (CBR) is a fundamental demographic indicator used to measure the number of live births occurring in a population over a specific period, usually one year. It is expressed as the number of live births per 1,000 people in the total population. Unlike other fertility measures that focus on specific age groups or desired fertility, the CBR provides a broad overview of the birth rate without adjusting for the age structure of the population.

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.

Historical dataset showing India birth rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) in India was reported at 14.06 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

India: Fertility rate, births per woman: The latest value from 2022 is 2.01 births per woman, a decline from 2.03 births per woman in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 2.51 births per woman, based on data from 192 countries. Historically, the average for India from 1960 to 2022 is 4.01 births per woman. The minimum value, 2.01 births per woman, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 5.98 births per woman was recorded in 1964.

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.

Historical dataset showing India fertility rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

The statistic displays the birth rate in India between 2009 and 2013. In 2009, the birth rate was around 19.8 births per 1,000 inhabitants, and has dropped slightly since. The fertility rate or the number of children born per woman in India can be found here.