NEW DELHI: Recently released data by Census 2011 convey that for the first-time in India's recorded history, more than half of the population does not have more than two children as part of their families.
Considerably up from the 46.6 percent as counted by the previous Census in 2001, 54 percent married women reported having two or less children, reflecting a nationwide longing for smaller families. Statistics showed 34 crore married women having about 92 crore children in 2011 with an average of about 2.69 children per married woman.
Back in 2001, the corresponding figures reflected were 27 crore married women having 83 crore children at an average of 3.03 children per woman. This current plunge in the average number of women is the sharpest in recent decades.
Another interesting statistic shows that women now prefer to postpone child birth till later years. In the 20-24 years age group, 35 percent women had no child in 2011 compared with the 32 percent in 2001. In the age group 25-29, 16 percent had no child compared with 13.4 percent back in 2001.
Emerging as repercussions of these changes, the period fertility rate or the average number of children borne by women in 45-49 years group showed a significant decline of 16 percent between 2001 and 2011. The fertility rate of women between 45 and 49 years is considered a standard measure by demographers for defining average fertility, after their child bearing days are over.
The 14 percent decline in the Muslim fertility rate is significantly more than the meagerly 5 percent in the previous decade (1991 to 2001). Propelled by economic and social considerations, it appears that Muslim families too are adapting fast with other communities.
The trends were noted across all religious communities, with little variations. The decline of fertility rate was most noteworthy for the Jain community, where it dropped by almost 22 percent between the two Censuses. Amongst the Hindu and Christian communities, the decline was recorded at 16 percent while among Muslims it dropped by 14 percent.
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