Nations across the world have varied TFR and as of 2023, the total fertility rate varies from 0.72 in South Korea to 6.73 in Niger. It means on an average; one South Korean woman gives birth to 0.72 babies while one Niger woman gives birth to 6.73 babies in their life time.

India’s TFR (2021) is at 1.91 children per woman which is below the necessary replacement fertility level of 2.1.

India’s total fertility rate saw a significant decline from 6.18 in 1950 to 1.91 in 2021, and may further drop to 1.3 by 2050 and 1.04 by 2100, says a new study published in The Lancet.

This is in line with the global fertility rate, which has gone down from 4.84 in 1950 to 2.23 in 2021 and will further drop to 1.59 by 2100

Replacement level means the level of TFR where a population remains stable. When TFR is above the Replacement level, population increases and when the fertility rate falls below the replacement level, population begins to shrink. In India, the replacement level is 2.1.