Jammu and Kashmir has firmly entered the low fertility bracket, recording a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.4, well below the population replacement level and among the lowest in the country.
The figures were shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Parliament, based on data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021. The information was provided in a written reply by Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel in the Rajya Sabha.
At the national level, India’s fertility rate has continued to decline, dropping to 2.0 from 2.2 recorded in the previous NFHS round of 2015–16. The trend reflects a broad shift in reproductive behaviour across the country, though significant regional variations remain.
With a TFR of 1.4, Jammu and Kashmir now stands alongside demographically advanced and urbanised regions such as Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal. Its fertility level is comparable to Chandigarh and Lakshadweep, while only a few regions, including Sikkim and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, report even lower rates.
According to the government, the decline in fertility is closely linked to improved access to contraception, better maternal and child healthcare services, and increased awareness about planned and spaced pregnancies. Officials said these changes align with the long-term objectives of national population and health policies.
The Health Ministry reiterated that India’s family planning programme is rights-based and voluntary, with a strong focus on maternal, child and adolescent health. States and Union Territories are supported through tailored awareness initiatives and funding provided under their respective Programme Implementation Plans.
While Jammu and Kashmir, along with several southern and metropolitan regions, has achieved sustained below-replacement fertility, States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya continue to record higher birth rates. Officials said the government is adopting region-specific strategies to address these contrasting demographic trends, balancing population stabilisation with challenges such as ageing populations and future workforce requirements.