Demographic Transition (Society)
Demographic Transition (Society)
Why In News:
Kerala's birth rate has fallen to its lowest recorded level, reinforcing the state's position as the first in India to complete its demographic transition.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 8, 11 July 2026 - 'Kerala birth rate reached an all-time low: 7 key takeaways'
Understanding the Demographic Transition
The demographic transition model describes a shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a society develops economically and socially.
Kerala's early investments in literacy, healthcare and women's education allowed it to complete this transition decades before most other Indian states, a phenomenon often called the 'Kerala Model of Development'.
Key Indicators
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) refers to the average number of children a woman is expected to give birth during her reproductive years; the replacement level TFR required to keep a population stable is 2.1.
Kerala's TFR has remained below replacement level for several decades and has now dropped further to a new low of 1.19, well below the national average.
As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), India's overall TFR had already fallen to around 2.0, reaching replacement level for the first time at the national level.
Government Response
Mission Parivar Vikas (2016): Launched to significantly enhance access to contraceptives and family planning services in 146 high-fertility districts (TFR ≥ 3) across seven high-focus states.
National Family Planning Indemnity Scheme (NFPIS), 2005: Provides insurance coverage to beneficiaries against death, complications, or failure arising from sterilization procedures.
Compensation Scheme for Sterilization Acceptors (2014): Offers compensation for wage loss to beneficiaries and incentives to service providers/teams for conducting sterilization procedures.
Key Facts for Prelims
The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) measures the number of live births per 1,000 population in a year, distinct from the Total Fertility Rate.
The Sample Registration System (SRS), run by the Registrar General of India, provides annual estimates of birth and death rates.