By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Assam has recorded notable improvements in key demographic indicators, including the sex ratio at birth and Total Fertility Rate (TFR), according to newly released Central government data for 2022–24.
The sex ratio at birth in the state stood at 946 females per 1,000 males during 2022-24 (three-year average), reflecting steady progress in gender balance at birth. The figure was 943 in rural areas and significantly higher at 971 in urban regions.
Assam has also outperformed the national average of 918 during the same period (914 in rural and 928 in urban areas). Among states, Chhattisgarh (978) and Kerala (974) recorded the highest sex ratio at birth, while Uttarakhand reported the lowest at 872.
A comparison with previous data shows a consistent upward trend. Assam’s sex ratio at birth was 938 in 2021-23, including 936 in rural and 961 in urban areas, indicating improvement across both regions.
Fertility Indicators Show Sustained Decline
The state’s fertility patterns have also shifted significantly. Assam’s Total Fertility Rate declined to 1.9 in 2024, down from 2.2 in 2018. The steady decline reflects a long-term demographic transition, with rural TFR falling from 2.4 to 2.1 and urban TFR dropping from 1.6 to 1.3 over the same period.
The national TFR currently stands at 1.9, placing India below the replacement level of 2.1. Several states and Union Territories have also fallen below this threshold, including Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and others.
In Assam, the TFR trend shows a consistent decline: 2.2 in 2018 and 2019, 2.1 in 2020–22, 2.0 in 2023 and 1.9 in 2024. Overall, the state has witnessed a 13 per cent decline since 2012–14, with sharper reductions in rural areas (16 per cent) compared to urban areas (6.7 per cent).
Regional and Social Variations
Within the state, rural women recorded a higher fertility rate (2.1) compared to urban women (1.3) in 2024. Nationally, Bihar reported the highest TFR at 2.9, while Delhi registered the lowest at 1.2.
Fertility rates also vary significantly with education levels. In Assam, illiterate women recorded a TFR of 2.8, while it stood at 1.2 among women with no formal education (as classified in the dataset). Women educated up to Class 10 recorded a lower TFR of 1.5, indicating a clear correlation between education and fertility reduction.
Other Key Indicators
Assam’s Gross Reproduction Rate (GRR) stood at 1 in 2024, slightly above the national average of 0.9. The state also reported high institutional delivery rates, with 85.7 per cent of total deliveries taking place in government hospitals. Rural institutional deliveries were higher at 87.3 per cent compared to 73.2 per cent in urban areas. Private hospitals accounted for 8.7 per cent of total deliveries.
The Crude Birth Rate in Assam was recorded at 19.6, slightly above the national average of 18.3. The General Fertility Rate stood at 65.5 overall, with rural areas reporting 69.6 and urban areas 43.6. The mean age of fertility in the state is 28.8 years.
The latest data highlights Assam’s steady demographic transition, marked by improved sex ratio at birth and a sustained decline in fertility rates. While rural–urban and educational disparities remain, the overall trend suggests gradual progress toward balanced population growth and improved maternal and child health outcomes.