The Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Statistical Report 2023, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India, reveals a notable decline in India’s birth rate and fertility trends.
Key Findings of the SRS 2023
- Demographic Implications: For the first time in two years, the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped, raising significant demographic and policy implications.
- Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Declined from 19.1 (2022) to 18.4 (2023) per 1,000 population.
- Highest CBR: Bihar (25.8).
- Lowest CBR: Tamil Nadu (12).
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Fell to 1.9 in 2023, down from 2.0 in 2021 and 2022.
- Highest TFR: Bihar (2.8), followed by Uttar Pradesh (2.6), Madhya Pradesh (2.4), Rajasthan (2.3), and Chhattisgarh (2.2).
- Lowest TFR: Delhi (1.2), West Bengal (1.3), Tamil Nadu (1.3), Maharashtra (1.4).
- Crude Death Rate (CDR): Reduced from 6.8 (2022) to 6.4 (2023).
- Highest CDR: Odisha (8.3).
- Lowest CDR: Delhi (4.1).
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): National IMR stands at 25 per 1,000 live births, a one-point decline from 2022 and a 7-point fall over the last five years.
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Stood at 917 females per 1,000 males in 2023, improving by three points over the previous year.
- SRB: Highest in Chhattisgarh (974) and Kerala (971); lowest in Uttarakhand (868). Bihar’s SRB declined from 964 (2020) to 897 (2023).
- Ageing Population: Elderly proportion rose to 9.7% in 2023, up by 0.7 percentage points in one year.
- Elderly Population Share: Highest in Kerala (15%), lowest in Assam, Delhi, and Jharkhand (~7.6–7.7%).
PWOnlyIAS Extra Edge:
Understanding the Terms
- CBR: The number of live births per 1,000 people in a given year. It reflects the overall fertility level of a population.
- TFR: The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years (15–49), assuming current fertility patterns continue.
- CDR: The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a given year. It indicates mortality trends in a population.
- IMR: The number of infants dying before reaching one year of age per 1,000 live births. It is a sensitive indicator of healthcare quality and socio-economic development.
- SRB: The number of female births per 1,000 male births in a population. A low SRB often reflects gender bias and sex-selective practices.
- Elderly Population Share: The proportion of people aged 60 years and above in the total population. It highlights the ageing trend and the need for senior welfare measures.
About Sample Registration Survey (SRS)
- Launched: 1970 by the Registrar General of India (RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Purpose: Provides reliable annual estimates of birth rate, death rate, fertility rate, infant & maternal mortality, and sex ratio at national and state levels.
- Methodology: Uses a dual record system – continuous recording by local enumerators & independent six-monthly surveys with field verification.
- Coverage: One of the world’s largest demographic surveys, covering representative villages and urban blocks.
- Significance:
- Key source for health and population indicators between Census rounds.
- Supports monitoring of NHM, SDGs, family planning, and maternal-child health policies.
- Data used by NITI Aayog, MoHFW, and states for planning and evaluation.
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Socio-Economic Implications
- Demographic Transition: India has now reached a below-replacement fertility rate (TFR <2.1) in 18 States/UTs, reflecting a demographic shift towards stabilisation.
- Regional Divide: Fertility above replacement level persists in northern and central States, while southern and western States continue below-replacement trends, deepening the population imbalance.
- Ageing Challenge: With elderly share rising to 9.7%, India faces the dual challenge of youthful population in some regions and rapid ageing in others.
- Sex Ratio Concerns: Persistent SRB imbalance in States like Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, and Maharashtra signals continued gender bias and sex-selective practices.
- Maternal & Infant Health: Declining IMR is a positive trend, but the report underlines that 1 in 40 infants still die within the first year of life.
Way Forward
- Balanced Population Policy: Address regional disparities—fertility stabilisation in the north and managing ageing in the south.
- Gender Equality Measures: Strengthen Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and expand community awareness to correct skewed SRBs.
- Health Interventions: Improve maternal and neonatal care, particularly in States with high IMR.
- Elderly Support Systems: Expand pension, healthcare, and social security for the rising senior population.
- Data Transparency: Timely release of Sample Registration System (SRS), Civil Registration System (CRS), and Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) datasets is essential for evidence-based policymaking.
| A Comparison between SRS, CRS & MCCD |
| System |
Authority / Basis |
Purpose |
Key Features |
| SRS (Sample Registration System) |
- Registrar General of India (RGI)
|
- Provides reliable estimates of birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate (IMR), fertility trends
|
- Dual System: Continuous enumeration by part-time enumerator & independent half-yearly survey by supervisor
|
| CRS (Civil Registration System) |
- Legal framework: Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
|
- Universal registration of births, deaths, stillbirths
|
- Provides legal certificates, demographic data for planning, and basis for population estimates
|
| MCCD (Medical Certification of Cause of Death) |
- Linked to CRS, under the same Act
|
- Captures cause-specific mortality data
|
- Doctor certifies cause of death in standard form; helps in epidemiology, health planning, and monitoring disease patterns
|
Conclusion
The SRS 2023 data signals that India is entering a phase of demographic maturity, with fertility rates stabilising below replacement levels in most States. However, regional fertility imbalances, ageing pressures, and gender bias must be addressed through policies grounded in equity, inclusiveness, and constitutional values of justice and dignity.
5 Sep 2025
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