Understanding replacement levels of fertility. And should India attain it?

Replacement level of Fertility is a situation where if a population grows at that rate will lead to no population growth. 

For Replacement level of Fertility, Total Fertility Rate should be 2.1 i.e. on an average a female in her reproductive lifetime should give birth to 2.1 live children nationwide. 

In India the Total fertility rate in 8 states has fallen below 2 children per woman. Just nine States – all of them in the north and east, except for Gujarat – haven’t yet reached replacements levels of 2.1.

Earlier, based on the NSSO surveys and 3 decades Population census, it was estimated that India may reach the magic number of Replacement Level by 2035 but, seeing the current trend, it is expected to reach it around 2020 which is good news as it will control population.

Yes, India must attain Replacement Level of Fertility soon as it will have many benefits:

1. It will lead to population control, which is the major reason of misery and environment over-exploitation around the world.
2. It will lead to economic prosperity among families as the size will be small.
3. It will lead to healthy population, as focus of parents will be only on 2 children as compared to many in olden days.
4. It will lead to increase in skilled labour force in the country, as govt can effectively provide good education, skill-based trainings to a controlled population.
5. It will ensure that all govt schemes, and plans will work out properly in future, because there will be no factor for population growth for later years.
6. Environmental protection measures will be more effective and long term. Environment is worst affected by population explosion.
7. In rural areas, poor people will be most benefited with better health care, better land share and more budget allocations for their agriculture and primary activities.
8. Administering people and stopping migration will be easy.
9. It can make the idea of attaining inclusive growth and equitable distribution of resources a possibility in foreseeable future, and India can soon realize its dream to be a progressive developed country.

Hence, achieving Replace level of fertility is a win-win situation for Government as well as citizens.