As India’s fertility rate falls, what does replacement fertility really mean?

India's fertility rate has been steadily declining over the years, with certain southern states already below the replacement fertility level. This shift is attributed to various factors such as increased education, access to contraception, urbanization, delayed marriage, and changing aspirations among families. The total fertility rate (TFR) is the average number of children born per woman, and for population stability, this rate is approximately 2.1 children.

Falling below this figure does not instantly lead to population decline; it depends on factors like existing age structure, mortality, and migration. A younger population can still grow even after its fertility rate drops below the replacement level.