Women in Delhi having children at a later age: Govt survey
In 2012, the fertility rate in the 20-24 age group was 137.3 while the same for the 25-29 age group was 126.1. In 2016, the fertility rate in the 20-24 age group dipped to 81.5 as compared to 131.2 in the 25-29 age group.
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The survey shows how the peak period of fertility rate transitioned from the 20-24 age group to the 25-29 age group. (Express Photo)Women in Delhi are having children at a later age, going by fertility indicators over the past eight years in the economic survey released by the Delhi government last week.
According to the survey, there has also been a declining trend in the fertility rate over the years in the capital — the total fertility rate (TFR) was reported to be at 1.4 in 2020 as compared to 2012 when it was 1.8. TFR of a population is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime.
The survey shows how the peak period of fertility rate transitioned from the 20-24 age group to the 25-29 age group.
In 2012, the fertility rate in the 20-24 age group was 137.3 while the same for the 25-29 age group was 126.1. In 2016, the fertility rate in the 20-24 age group dipped to 81.5 as compared to 131.2 in the 25-29 age group. Since then, the rate has been dipping in the first category — 84 in 2017; 74.1 in 2018; 52.4 in 2019; before increasing slightly to 64.8 in 2020. In comparison, the fertility rate in the 25-27 group was 125.2 in 2017; 114.7 in 2018; 94.1 in 2019; and 99 in 2020.
For the early 30s age group, the fertility rate in 2012 was 60.3 while it was 69.8 in 2020.
Meanwhile, India’s Total Fertility Rate has declined from 2.2 in 2015-16 to 2.0 in 2019-21. This was revealed in the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted over two years starting in 2019.
Doctors, meanwhile, have different takes on the decline in fertility rate. Former AIIMS professor Dr Alka Kriplani said pollution is among factors that affect chances of getting pregnant. She added that for a few decades, the fertility rate going down is a good thing for India because of its already exploding population.
Dr Uma Vaidyanathan, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said: “Late age at conception, hormonal issues like PCOD, thyroid disorders, and young patients with hypertension… these factors put together are related to a gradual decline in fertility rate.”
She said women are also marrying late, at the ages of 25-29, and planning a late pregnancy, which was not the case earlier. She said there are now medical facilities to handle pre-term and high-risk pregnancies, as well as hormonal disorders.
Dr Suman Lal, Director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Max Hospital in Gurgaon, said male infertility is also a factor behind the decreasing fertility rate. “Due to stress, erection issues and psychological issues and smoking, many men and women are unable to conceive,” she said. Dr Suman added that in a metro city like Delhi, many are opting for IVF. “IVF is a good option for women who are marrying late and want to conceive later in life,” she said.
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