Sat May 17 21:00:24 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

A recent report by the Office of the Registrar General of India shows that India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has remained at 2.0 in 2021, below the replacement level of 2.1. There are significant regional variations, with Bihar having the highest TFR at 3.0 and West Bengal and Delhi the lowest at 1.4. While the national average TFR has slightly declined over the past decade, several states have TFRs above the replacement level. Experts suggest that states with higher TFRs need improved human development policies, while those with lower TFRs may face challenges related to changing family structures and the costs of raising children.

**News Article:**

**India’s Fertility Rate Below Replacement Level, Reveals New Report**

**New Delhi, May 18, 2025** – A newly released report from the Office of the Registrar General of India indicates that the nation’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remains at 2.0, slightly below the replacement level of 2.1. The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report for 2021 highlights significant regional disparities in fertility rates across the country.

While the national average has remained consistent with 2020, state-level data reveals a diverse landscape. Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 3.0, while West Bengal and Delhi reported the lowest, at 1.4. The TFR, which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have, has been on a general decline nationally over the past decade.

Only six states currently have TFRs above the replacement level: Bihar (3.0), Uttar Pradesh (2.7), Madhya Pradesh (2.6), Rajasthan (2.4), Jharkhand (2.3), and Chhattisgarh (2.2). This suggests that population growth will slow in the coming years.

The report also details a decline in the Crude Birth Rate (CBR), which measures live births per 1,000 people. Nationally, the CBR is declining at an annual rate of 1.12%.

Professor Praveen K. Pathak of Jawaharlal Nehru University notes that these numbers indicate the need for tailored policy approaches. “States with higher TFRs require continued investment in human development policies, particularly in female education and healthcare,” he stated. He also cautioned that states with TFRs below replacement level may face challenges from a shrinking workforce and the increasing burden of an aging population.

“The factors driving lower fertility rates, such as changing family structures and the rising costs associated with raising children, require careful consideration,” added Professor Pathak. The report highlights the complex demographic shifts underway in India and the need for targeted interventions to address the unique challenges faced by different states.

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