Kerala’s maternal mortality ratio climbs as fertility levels fall to a new low
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)
| Context |
|
Kerala’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)
- Kerala’s MMR has increased, moving from 19 to 29 per one lakh live births.
- This rise is not due to more maternal deaths but fewer childbirths.
- The drop in the number of live births has pushed the MMR higher.
- Kerala’s MMR spike follows a dip in births from 5-5.5 lakh annually to 3.93 lakh.
- In 2020-21, many deaths were linked to COVID-19 among pregnant women.
Decline in Fertility Rate
- Kerala’s fertility rate has been decreasing for over three decades.
- In 1991, the fertility rate went below replacement level (2.1 children per woman) and stayed at 1.7-1.8.
- In 2020, the total fertility rate (TFR) dropped to 1.5 and is currently at 1.46.
- The TFR means couples in Kerala mostly have one or no children.
- The state’s declining birth rates have significant social consequences.
Impact of Migration and Social Changes
- Many young people in Kerala migrate for jobs or education, affecting fertility rates.
- Delayed marriage and childbearing also contribute to the decline in births.
- Over the next decade, the elderly population in Kerala will surpass the number of children, causing concerns for care and welfare.
Challenges in Data Collection
- Kerala’s birth registration has issues, and official data on live births is not available publicly after 2021.
| Practice Question: Discuss the implications of declining birth rates in states like Kerala on demographic transition, social fabric, and policy formulation. (250 Words /15 marks) |
For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out –11 January 2025 : PIB Summary For UPSC
