How much has fertility declined in Uttar Pradesh?

Abstract

Based on an analysis of fertility estimates from NFHS-1, NFHS-2, and India's Sample Registration System (SRS), this report attempts to provide accurate estimates of fertility levels and trends in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The primary measure of fertility used in this analysis is the total fertility rate (TFR), which indicates the average number of children a woman would bear throughout her life at current age-specific fertility rates. Correction for displacement and omission of births in NFHS-1 and NFHS-2 and underregistration of births in the SRS yields a best estimate' that the TFR in Uttar Pradesh fell from 5.55 in 1991 (the midpoint of the three-year period before NFHS-1) to 5.19 in 1997 (the midpoint of the three-year period before NFHS-2), a decline of about 0.4 child during the six years between the two surveys.

The NFHS Subject Reports is a series summarizing secondary analysis of data from the 1992-93 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in India. The NFHS collected information from nearly 90,000 Indian women on a range of demographic and health topics. Conducted under the auspices of the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the survey provides national and state-level estimates of fertility, infant and child mortality, family planning practice, maternal and child health, and the utilization of services available to mothers and children. IIPS conducted the survey in cooperation with consulting organizations and 18 population research centers throughout India. The East-West Center and a U.S.-based consulting firm, Macro International, provided technical assistance, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided financial support.

Printed copies are available from the East-West Center Research Program, Population and Health Studies. Single copies are available free by airmail and may be reproduced for educational use.