UPSC Prelims 2024 Q41: Indian Economy – Demographics
The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as :
- (a) the number of children born per 1000 people in the population in a year
- (b) the number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population
- (c) the birth rate minus death rate
- (d) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child - bearing age
Answer: (d) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child - bearing age
Explanation
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
TFR is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive life (about 15–49 years), if she followed current age-specific fertility rates.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| TFR | Average live births per woman by the end of her child-bearing years |
| Crude Birth Rate (CBR) | Live births per 1,000 people in a year |
| Natural growth rate | Birth rate minus death rate |
| Replacement-level TFR | About 2.1 — keeps population stable over time |
India's TFR:
| Survey | TFR |
|---|---|
| NFHS-4 (2015–16) | 2.2 |
| NFHS-5 (2019–21) | 2.0 — below replacement level |
| Highest state (NFHS-5) | Bihar, 3.0 |
Answer: (d) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Births per 1,000 people per year is the Crude Birth Rate.
- (b) Incorrect. TFR is measured per woman, not per couple.
- (c) Incorrect. Birth rate minus death rate is the natural growth rate of population.
- (d) CORRECT. TFR is the average number of live births per woman over her reproductive years.
Key point
TFR = average births per woman over her reproductive life; replacement level is 2.1; India's TFR is 2.0 (NFHS-5).
Remember
TFR is the average number of children per woman; replacement level is 2.1.
Common mistakes
- Confusing TFR with Crude Birth Rate, which is per 1,000 people.
- Defining TFR per couple instead of per woman.
- Thinking replacement level is exactly 2; it is about 2.1 to allow for child deaths.
Exam tip
TFR is 'per woman', CBR is 'per 1,000 people'. Look for which one the option uses.
Sources
- NFHS-5 (2019–21) — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- NCERT Class XII — India: People and Economy, Ch 1 (Population)