Fewer babies, longer lives: Andhra Pradesh’s population story is rapidly changing

Visakhapatnam: The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) 2024 report, released by the Union govt, shows that Andhra Pradesh is witnessing slower population growth, smaller family sizes, and better child health indicators.One of the major findings in the report is the steady fall in the fertility rate. The total fertility rate (TFR) in the state has declined to 1.4 children per woman, lower than the national average of 1.9. About a decade ago, the state’s fertility rate was close to 2, which indicates that families are now gradually preferring to have fewer children.A fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1 means the population may eventually stabilise and begin ageing over time. The gross reproduction rate in Andhra Pradesh is 0.7, compared to the national average of 0.9, further indicating slower population growth in the state. Andhra Pradesh’s population pattern is now becoming similar to other southern states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which are known for lower birth rates, smaller families, and better healthcare indicators.The report also shows that AP has one of the lowest child populations among major Indian states. Only 19% of the population belongs to the 0-14 age group, while the national average is around 24%. Experts link this trend to smaller families, delayed marriages, better female literacy, and greater awareness about family planning.Meanwhile, the state has also recorded improvement in child health indicators. The infant mortality rate has dropped to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births, lower than the national average of 24. The state has steadily reduced infant mortality over the years — from 25 in 2019 to 24 in 2020, 22 in 2021, 20 in 2022, 19 in 2023, and 18 in 2024.Other child health indicators have also improved. The neonatal mortality rate, which measures deaths within the first 28 days after birth, stands at 14. The under-five mortality rate stands at 22. Both are lower than the national averages. The crude birth rate in Andhra Pradesh is estimated at 14.3 per 1,000 population, compared to the national average of 18.3, showing that birth rates continue to decline in the state.However, the report points to continuing differences between rural and urban areas in healthcare outcomes. Rural Andhra Pradesh records higher infant and child mortality rates than urban areas. The infant mortality rate in rural areas is 20, compared to 13 in urban areas. Similarly, the under-five mortality rate is 24 in rural areas and 15 in urban centres. Experts say this reflects uneven access to maternal and child healthcare services, especially in remote and tribal areas.The report also highlights signs of an emerging ageing population. As birth rates continue to decline and life expectancy improves, the number of elderly people in the state is expected to rise steadily over the next two decades. This may increase the demand for elderly healthcare, pensions, and welfare support systems in the future.-------GFX: Child health indicators improveCrude death rate: 6.6 per 1,000 population, national average: 6.4TFR: 1.4, national average: 1.9IMR: 18 deaths per 1,000 live births, national average: 24Gross reproduction rate: 0.7, national average: 0.9Rural AP has infant mortality rate of 20, which is 13 in urban APRural AP has under-5 mortality rate of 24, compared to 15 in urban areasState’s infant mortality has steadily improved from 25 in 2019 to 18 in 2024