District-Level Scenario of Fertility in India: Levels and Differentials

Abstract

The districts in India are the lower administrative units next to the states; considered as the basis for the implementation of any developmental plan and programme. The fertility estimates are often required for effective planning and program implementation. Most studies on fertility analysis in India mainly focused on the national and state level and were based on census data. Using the data from District Level Household Survey-3 (DLHS-3), 2007-08 this paper assessed the levels and differentials in total fertility rate (TFR) at the district level in India. The TFR for each district of India was estimated based on birth order statistics through regression method. Results indicate that there was wide variation in the levels of TFR among districts of India. The estimated TFR ranges from a highest of 6.1 in the district of Shahjahanpur of Uttar Pradesh to a lowest of 1.3 in the district of Mahe of Pondicherry. Remarkable differences in the levels of TFR were also observed between the districts of northern and southern states. While majority of the districts of three southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) had TFR of replacement level or below replacement level (TFR of less than or equal to 2.1), the majority of the districts in northern states (mainly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) had TFR of more than 4.

Key words: Levels, Differentials, Total Fertility Rate, Districts, India