National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6)- Uttar Pradesh
NFHS-6 Uttar Pradesh analysis covering fertility rate, child nutrition, vaccination, education, women’s empowerment, internet usage, health indicators, achievements, challenges, and key UPPSC exam insights.
As India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh plays a crucial role in determining national demographic and health outcomes. The progress made by Uttar Pradesh has a direct impact on India’s overall development indicators.
The NFHS-6 findings reveal that Uttar Pradesh has made significant gains in fertility reduction, vaccination coverage, education, digital inclusion, and women’s empowerment. However, important challenges remain in child nutrition and public health.
Demographic Changes in Uttar Pradesh
Declining Child Population
Population Below 15 Years
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 31.0% |
| NFHS-6 | 29.9% |
This decline suggests that Uttar Pradesh is moving through the demographic transition process, characterized by lower fertility rates and changing age structures.
Fertility Trends in Uttar Pradesh
One of the most important achievements recorded by NFHS-6 is the decline in fertility.
Total Fertility Rate
| Survey | TFR |
| NFHS-5 | 2.4 |
| NFHS-6 | 2.2 |
Although the state remains above the national average of 2.0, the decline demonstrates that family planning initiatives, increased female education, and urbanization are producing results.
Further reductions will help improve maternal health, reduce dependency burdens, and strengthen human development outcomes.
Child Marriage in Uttar Pradesh
Women Aged 20-24 Married Before 18 Years
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 15.8% |
| NFHS-6 | 13.7% |
The reduction reflects positive changes in educational attainment, social awareness, and government interventions. Nevertheless, child marriage continues to exist in certain districts and remains an area requiring attention.
Educational Progress in Uttar Pradesh
Education levels have improved gradually.
Female Population Ever Attending School
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 67.4% |
| NFHS-6 | 70.1% |
Women with 10 or More Years of Schooling
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 39.3% |
| NFHS-6 | 42.5% |
Higher female education contributes directly to lower fertility rates, delayed marriage, improved health awareness, and better employment opportunities.
Digital Transformation in Uttar Pradesh
One of the most remarkable changes observed in NFHS-6 is the rapid increase in internet usage.
Internet Usage
| Category | NFHS-5 | NFHS-6 |
| Women | 30.6% | 70.0% |
| Men | 59.1% | 81.0% |
This dramatic increase reflects growing smartphone penetration, digital literacy, and improved internet accessibility.
Financial Inclusion in Uttar Pradesh
Financial inclusion indicators have improved substantially.
Households with Bank Accounts
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 96.6% |
| NFHS-6 | 98.4% |
Health Insurance Coverage
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 15.9% |
| NFHS-6 | 37.2% |
The expansion of Ayushman Bharat and banking initiatives has contributed significantly to these improvements.
Child Health and Immunization in Uttar Pradesh
Fully Vaccinated Children
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 69.9% |
| NFHS-6 | 81.4% |
The increase of over 11 percentage points represents one of the state’s biggest successes.
Improved vaccination coverage is expected to reduce disease burden and improve child survival rates.
Child Nutrition in Uttar Pradesh
Nutrition remains one of the most important concerns for the state.
Stunting
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 34.6% |
| NFHS-6 | 27.5% |
The decline indicates improvements in long-term nutritional status.
Wasting
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 18.9% |
| NFHS-6 | 21.1% |
The increase in wasting indicates rising acute malnutrition among children.
Underweight Children
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 31.3% |
| NFHS-6 | 34.7% |
The rise in underweight prevalence remains a serious concern.
These findings suggest that while chronic malnutrition is declining, acute nutritional challenges continue to affect children across the state.
Child Feeding Practices
Children Receiving an Adequate Diet
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 9.1% |
| NFHS-6 | 12.4% |
Although the figure has improved, it remains low. This suggests that dietary diversity and feeding practices need significant improvement.
Women’s Empowerment in Uttar Pradesh
Women’s ownership of productive assets has increased significantly.
Women Owning House or Land
| Survey | Percentage |
| NFHS-5 | 12.2% |
| NFHS-6 | 20.1% |
This increase reflects growing economic empowerment and financial security among women.
Lifestyle Diseases in Uttar Pradesh
Like the rest of India, Uttar Pradesh is also experiencing a rise in lifestyle-related diseases.
Adults with High Blood Sugar
| Category | Percentage |
| Women | 15.5% |
| Men | 19.5% |
Overweight or Obese Adults
| Category | Percentage |
| Women | 26.7% |
| Men | 21.8% |
The growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes indicates the need for greater awareness regarding nutrition, physical activity, and preventive healthcare.
Key Achievements of Uttar Pradesh
The NFHS-6 findings highlight several notable achievements:
- Fertility rate declined from 2.4 to 2.2
- Child vaccination coverage increased significantly
- Female internet usage more than doubled
- Health insurance coverage expanded rapidly
- Female education levels improved
- Child marriage declined
- Stunting reduced considerably
- Women’s ownership of property increased
Major Challenges Before Uttar Pradesh
Despite progress, several challenges remain:
- High levels of wasting among children
- Rising underweight prevalence
- Poor dietary diversity
- Growing burden of obesity and diabetes
- Persistent rural-urban disparities
- Fertility rate still above the national average
- Need for stronger maternal and child nutrition programmes
Conclusion
NFHS-6 presents a picture of an India that is steadily progressing toward better health, education, and social development. Population growth is stabilizing, child marriage is declining, vaccination coverage is increasing, and women are becoming more empowered.
For Uttar Pradesh, the survey highlights both achievements and challenges. The state has made significant progress in fertility reduction, digital inclusion, immunization, financial inclusion, and women’s empowerment. However, issues such as child malnutrition, inadequate diets, and rising lifestyle diseases require sustained policy attention.
The findings of NFHS-6 make it clear that the next stage of development must focus not only on access to services but also on improving the quality of nutrition, healthcare, education, and human development outcomes.
Source: NFHS-6 Factsheet (read complete report here)
