Write an Essay on Family Planning in India
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Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. From 1965-2009, contraceptive usage has more than tripled (from 13% of married women in 1970 to 48% in 2009) and the fertility rate has more than halved (from 5.7 in 1966 to 2.4 in 2012), but the national fertility rate remains high, causing concern for long-term population growth. India adds up to 1,000,000 people to its population every 20 days.[1][2][3][4][5] Extensive family planning has become a priority in an effort to curb the projected population of two billion by the end of the twenty-first century.
In 2015, the total fertility rate of India was 2.40 births per women[6] and 15.6 million abortions performed, with an abortion rate of 47.0 abortions per 1000 women aged between 15–49 years.[7] With high abortions rates follows a high number of unintended pregnancies, with a rate of 70.1 unintended pregnancies per 1000 women aged 15–49 years.[7] Overall, the abortions occurring in India make up for one third of pregnancies and out of all pregnancies occurring, almost half were not planned.[8] On the Demographic Transition Model, India falls in the third stage due to decreased birth rates and death rates.[9] In 2026, it is projected to be in stage four once the Total Fertility Rate reaches 2.1.[9]