Transition in Age Pattern of Marital Fertility in India: 1985-2007

Aalok Ranjan, Shyam Institute

This paper analyses the transition in the age pattern of marital fertility in India and in its constituent states during the period 1985 through 2007 on the basis of the age-specific marital fertility rates available through the sample registration system and application of the relational model proposed by Brass. It is observed that the age pattern of marital fertility in the country has turned leptokurtic and skewed over the years because of a typical approach of fertility limitation floowed in the country over the last 55 years. The paper concludes that India needs a second fertility transition which is directed towards 'practising' family planning with a focus on young married women for fertility planning rather than 'treating' high fertility for fertility limitation. The paper argues that there is a need to reinvigorate the family planning services delivery system to institutionalise this policy shift.