The correct answer is (a) 1.5.
The total fertility rate (TFR) is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime if she were to experience the exact current age-specific fertility rates through her lifetime.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) â 5 (2019-21), the TFR in India is 1.5. This means that, on average, a woman in India will have 1.5 children in her lifetime.
The TFR has been declining in India for many years. In the 1970s, the TFR was 5.2. It has since declined to 1.5 in 2019-21. This decline is due to a number of factors, including increased access to education and family planning, as well as changing social norms about the ideal family size.
The decline in the TFR has a number of implications for India. It means that the population of India is aging, as there are fewer children being born. This will put a strain on the country’s resources, such as healthcare and pensions. It also means that the workforce will shrink, which could impact economic growth.
The government of India is aware of the challenges posed by the aging population. It has taken a number of steps to address these challenges, such as increasing the retirement age and providing incentives for people to have more children. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to offset the impact of the aging population.