Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Lowest TFR in NFHS-6

Why in News?

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded India’s lowest Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 0.9 in the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), released on 29 May 2026. The figure is significantly below the replacement level fertility rate of 2.1, while India’s overall TFR stands at 1.9.

Key Highlights

Sharp Decline in Fertility Rate

• TFR in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands declined from:
  • 1.4 in NFHS-4 (2015-16)
  • 1.3 in NFHS-5 (2019-21)
  • 0.9 in NFHS-6 (2023-24)
• The Union Territory now has the lowest fertility rate in India.

Demographic Changes

The survey highlights a changing population structure:

• Share of children below five years declined from 5.3% in NFHS-5 to 3.7% in NFHS-6.
• The proportion of people aged 60 years and above has increased.
• These trends indicate the onset of population ageing.

Decline in Preschool Attendance

• Preschool attendance among children aged 2-4 years declined from 88.5% in NFHS-5 to 66.2% in NFHS-6.

What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?

• Total Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years (15-49 years).
• It is a key indicator used to assess population growth trends.

Replacement Level Fertility

• A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level.
• At this level, a population replaces itself from one generation to the next without migration.
• A sustained TFR below 2.1 may eventually lead to:
  • Population ageing
  • Shrinking workforce
  • Increased dependency ratio

About National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

Purpose

• NFHS is a large-scale, multi-round household survey conducted across India.
• It provides data on:
  • Fertility
  • Mortality
  • Family planning
  • Nutrition
  • Maternal and child health
  • Population characteristics

Implementing Agencies

• Conducted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• Coordinated by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai.

Related Concepts and Institutions

Population Ageing

• Refers to an increase in the proportion of elderly persons in a population.
• Occurs due to:
  • Declining fertility rates
  • Rising life expectancy

Demographic Dividend

• Economic growth potential arising from a larger working-age population.
• Can weaken if fertility falls sharply and the elderly population rises rapidly.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Nodal ministry responsible for NFHS and national health statistics.

Mains Relevance

The decline in fertility rates and the rise in elderly population highlight emerging demographic challenges such as population ageing, labour-force contraction, and increased social security requirements. These trends have important implications for healthcare planning, economic growth, and human resource development.