Which Indian Metro City Has The Highest Birth Rate?
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According to the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), Chennai has the highest fertility rate among India's metro cities, with a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.65
India has officially surpassed China to become the most populous country in the world. While the population continues to grow rapidly, a contrasting trend is emerging in several states, especially in metro cities, fertility rates, or the average number of children born to a woman, are gradually declining. This raises a key question: in which metro city are the most children being born in India?
Chennai Leads Among Metro Cities
Among India's metro cities, Chennai records the highest fertility rate. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, Chennai has a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.65. This means that, on average, a woman in Chennai gives birth to 1.65 children, making it the metro city with the highest fertility rate.
Delhi follows with a fertility rate of 1.57, followed by Hyderabad (1.54), Mumbai (1.44), and Kolkata (1.40). These figures reflect how urban lifestyle, education, and employment have contributed to declining birth rates in big cities. However, Chennai still leads the chart.
Surge In Births Recorded In Ahmedabad
Recent reports show that more than one lakh (100,000) children were born in Ahmedabad during 2022-23. This is the highest number since 2019 and the first major spike in births following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Southern States Calling For More Births
In parts of South India, state governments are now promoting awareness about having more children. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently highlighted the growing concern over declining fertility rates. A similar appeal has been made in Andhra Pradesh, as demographers warn that if the average fertility rate drops below 2.0, it could lead to a population decline in the future.
Why The NFHS Survey Matters
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale initiative by the Government of India that collects vital data on health, nutrition, education, gender equality, and population trends. Survey teams interact directly with households across states and union territories. The insights from NFHS play a crucial role in shaping public health and population policies.
First Published:
May 29, 2025, 08:22 IST
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