Q. The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as : (UPSC Prelims 2024)
Answer:
the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.
Notes: The correct answer is
[D] the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is a standard demographic indicator used to measure the fertility level of a population.
- Definition: TFR represents the average number of children a woman would bear during her lifetime (usually defined as age 15 to 49), assuming she experiences the current age-specific fertility rates throughout her reproductive years.
- Replacement Level Fertility: A TFR of approximately 2.1 is considered the "replacement level." This is the rate at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next without migration. In India, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) recently reported that the TFR has declined to 2.0, which is below the replacement level.
- Other Options:
- Option [A]: Describes the Crude Birth Rate (CBR), which is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a year.
- Option [B]: Is a common misconception but does not account for the statistical "rate" applied across a demographic age group.
- Option [C]: Refers to the Natural Increase Rate of a population (Birth Rate - Death Rate).
TFR is a crucial metric for policymakers to plan for future requirements in healthcare, education, and social security. High TFR often correlates with younger populations, while low TFR indicates an aging society.