Assessing Demographic Trends and Challenges in North East India: Insights from NFHS-5
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Abstract
Despite India's attainment of the national goal of replacement fertility (2.1) after 75 years of Independence, certain regions, particularly five states including two North East (NE) states - Meghalaya and Manipur, have not met this target. This paper investigates the demographic indicators of population growth in North East India using data from NFHS-5 (2019-21), focusing on currently married women aged 15-49. It examines various parameters such as total fertility rate, literacy rate, sex ratio, marriage age, infant and child mortality, contraceptive use, and unmet family planning needs. The study reveals that Meghalaya, with a total wanted fertility rate of 2.7, leads the country, indicating disparities primarily among tribal and backward communities. Although some improvements are observed in infant and child mortality rates, literacy, and total fertility, challenges persist, particularly in achieving demographic balance in sex ratio. Moreover, there are notable variations in contraceptive use and unmet family planning needs across different states, possibly influenced by rural-urban disparities.
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References
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