Fertility Decline and [de]Compression in Age Specific Fertility Rates in India

This paper examined age-pattern of childbearing in terms of [de]compression in age-specific
fertility rates in India and major states. This study followed a two part methodology: first,
compression in ages-specific fertility rates are estimated in terms of skewness and standard
deviation. Second, age bands in which compression in childbearing taking place are identified.
The results reveal that age-pattern of childbearing is highly associated with total fertility rate
levels: with decline in total fertility rates, the age-specific fertility rates are compressing, such
compression is mostly at peak ages (20-30 years). However, there is huge state level and ruralurban
disparity in age-pattern of childbearing by levels of total fertility rates. The state with
greater decline in fertility or currently with low fertility rate show evidence of compression in
age-specific fertility rates while states with lower decline in fertility or currently with high
fertility show greater dispersion in age-specific fertility rates. Urban areas evident for
compression in age-specific fertility rates while rural areas still shows dispersion in age-specific
fertility rates. Compressions in age-pattern of childbearing yet occur in high fertility rates and
rural areas of India.