Sample Registration Survey released Statistical Report 2013

The Sample Registration Survey (SRS) released its Statistical Report 2013. According to the report, the fertility rate is falling faster than expected.The report was released on 22 December 2014.

India will reach replacement levels by 2020 with the total fertility rate (TFR) in 8 States below 2 children per woman.

Highlights of the Survey
• Among the Northern and Eastern States, nine States except Gujarat have a TFR levels above 2.1. TFR below 2.1 means population has begun to decline.
• West Bengal along with the Southern States, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has the lowest fertility in India. Odisha also has reduced the fertility rate to 2.1.
• Fertility is declining rapidly, including among the poor and illiterate. India is now just 0.2 point away from reaching replacement levels at 2.3.
• With these rates, India will achieve its demographic transition and reach replacement levels as early as 2020 or 2022.
• Among bigger States, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal has the average Total Fertility Rate (TFR) below 2.0 during 2011-13.
• The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is less positive but IMR has fallen to 40 deaths per 1000 live births, and 49 deaths of children under the age of 5 for every 1000 live births.
• The IMR has fallen mostly in rural areas than in urban areas whereas Chennai has the lowest IMR (16) among the metros.
• Among States, Kerala has the best IMR at 12 deaths per 1000 births and it is followed by Delhi and Maharashtra.
• Higher mortality rates still remain the same for infant girls and for girls under the age of five than for boys, as against the global trend.