Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Feb 1: Goa's fertility rate has dropped to a concerning 1.3% as per the economic survey 2024-25, marking a steady decline over the past few decades. This marks a sharp decrease from 1.73% in 2015-16. Over the past decade alone, the fertility rate has fallen by 0.4 percentage points, the largest drop since records began.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data reveals that Goa's fertility rate stood at 1.9% in 1992-93, gradually declining to 1.8% in 1998-99, 1.8% again in 2005-06, and 1.73% in 2015-16. The most recent figures, however, show an alarming downward trend.

Despite the declining fertility rate, Goa has excelled in other areas of child health. The state boasts the second-lowest infant mortality rate in India at 5.6%, trailing only Kerala’s 4.4%. Goa has also made substantial progress in reducing child mortality and stunting rates over the past decades. Since 1992-93, the state's infant mortality rate has seen a dramatic fall from 31.9% to 5.6% in 2024-25, with a similar downward trajectory in under-five mortality and stunting rates. The state’s efforts in improving child health have positioned it as a leader, second only to Kerala in these key metrics.

However, stunting remains a challenge in Goa, with the rate currently at 25.8%, though still comparatively better than many other states.