Submission ID 118412
| Issue/Objective | India's demographic landscape presents a striking paradox, with some states achieving replacement-level fertility (TFR ≤2.1) decades ago, while others continue to fall behind. This disparity, clearly evident in NFHS-5 data, stems from complex interplays of socioeconomic factors, including varying levels of female education, access to reproductive healthcare, age at marriage, and the effectiveness of family planning initiatives. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have successfully undergone demographic transitions early on, largely due to their investments in women's education and health infrastructure. In contrast, northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are struggling, hindered by persistent gender inequalities and weaker health systems. To bridge the fertility gap, implementing youth-centric interventions can enhance health outcomes, promote gender equity, and foster economic stability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3.7, which advocates for universal reproductive healthcare. This study aims to analyze these differing fertility trajectories while underscoring the transformative potential of empowering youth-particularly through the education of young women and increasing awareness of sexual and reproductive health-as a means to accelerate demographic change in underperforming regions. By exploring India's fertility transition through the lens of youth empowerment, this research contributes to broader discussions on achieving sustainable development goals, especially in low- and middle-income countries facing similar demographic challenges. |
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| Methodology/Approach | NFHS-3 (2005-06), NFHS-4 (2015-16), and NFHS-5 (2019-21) survey data will be analyzed to assess TFR trends across states. Descriptive statistics identified states that remained above the replacement level of 2.1. A comparative analysis has been conducted between states with a TFR above 2.1 and those that have achieved the replacement level or lower. This will examine socioeconomic indicators, knowledge and use of family planning methods by age among young couples, autonomy, decision making, healthcare access, cultural norms, and policy effectiveness. |
| Results | Early success indicators included: (1) higher female literacy rates (>70%), (2) robust health systems with affordable contraception, (3) delayed marriage, (4) lower fertility rates among younger age groups, particularly 15-19, 20-24 and 25-29, and use of male sterilizations, which were found to be almost non-existent in all Indian states, except condoms. The lagging countries have negative trends, compounded by gender inequalities, particularly low use of contraception by men, and insufficient youth health programmes. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Empowering youth, particularly young women through education, SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) awareness, age-specific interventions in promoting family planning method use, especially long-term spacing methods, and leadership opportunities can accelerate TFR decline in high-fertility states. Policy recommendations include scaling up peer-led family planning initiatives, leveraging digital platforms for youth engagement, and age-specific interventions promoting family planning method use, especially long-term spacing methods. Also, greater involvement of men and joint decision making in the adoption of family methods, especially injectables, implants, and Copper-T. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Naveen Roy Avenir Health, USA Naveen Roy Avenir Health, USA Yogender Pal Gupta Y.G. Consultants & Services, India |
