GUWAAHTI: Assam’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to 1.6 children per woman in 2023-24, according to the latest findings of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), reflecting a continued drop in birth rates across the State.
The previous NFHS-5 survey conducted during 2019-21 had recorded Assam’s total fertility rate at 1.9.
As per the latest data, the fertility rate in urban Assam stood at 1.2, while rural areas recorded a comparatively higher rate of 1.7 children per woman.
The survey also highlighted a sharp rise in caesarean section deliveries, particularly in private healthcare facilities across the State.
According to NFHS-6, 81.4 per cent of births in private health facilities in Assam during 2023-24 were delivered through caesarean section. The figure stood at 85.1 per cent in urban areas and 80.2 per cent in rural regions.
In comparison, NFHS-5 had recorded the overall caesarean delivery rate in private facilities at 70.6 per cent during 2019-21, indicating a significant increase over the last few years.
Caesarean deliveries in public health facilities also witnessed a rise. NFHS-6 reported that 17.4 per cent of births in government hospitals and public healthcare institutions were delivered through C-section in 2023-24, compared to 15.2 per cent recorded in the previous survey.
Urban public health facilities recorded a caesarean delivery rate of 29 per cent, while rural public institutions reported 16.5 per cent.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the sixth round of the nationwide survey series, provides key data on population, health and nutrition indicators for India and individual States and Union Territories, except Manipur.
NFHS-6 fieldwork across India was conducted in two phases between May 2023 and December 2024 by 27 field agencies. The survey covered over 6.79 lakh households and collected information from more than 7.16 lakh women and 1 lakh men across the country.