{
  "id": 18084276,
  "title": "Why is there variation in India’s fertility rates? | Explained",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/why-is-there-variation-in-indias-fertility-rates-explained",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-04T07:20:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/why-is-there-variation-in-indias-fertility-rates-explained/article69588360.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's fertility rates exhibit significant variation across different regions, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report of 2021. Despite the national average Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remaining consistent at 2.0, similar to the 2020 report, there are stark regional differences. Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 3.0, while West Bengal and Delhi reported the lowest at 1.4. Over the past decade, from 2009-11 to 2019-21, TFR has generally been declining both nationally and at the state level, although at varying rates.",
  "summary": "What is the Total Fertility Rate of India? How does it impact policy interventions?",
  "key_points": [
    "India's national TFR remains at 2.0 in 2021.",
    "Bihar has highest TFR at 3.0, West Bengal and Delhi lowest at 1.4.",
    "TFR declining nationally and statewide over last decade."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The divergence in regional birth rates suggests that national averages mask deep demographic disparities between states like Bihar and Delhi, complicating the understanding of India's overall population trends.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}