Question 67 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Geograph y

Question

The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. The average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.

Strategy: Observe the precise focus on 'a woman' and her child-bearing age in the question and options. Options mentioning couple or per 1,000 people do not align with the demographic meaning. The correct definition requires linking TFR to the average number of live births a woman would have during her reproductive years, matching option D.

Key Info: ## Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is a crucial demographic indicator, defined as the average number of live children a woman would have during her childbearing years (typically 15-49), assuming current age-specific fertility rates.

### Key Aspects of TFR:

*   **Population Growth Indicator**: TFR reflects a population's potential for growth.
*   **Distinction from Other Rates**:
    *   It is not calculated per 1,000 people (that's the crude birth rate).
    *   It does not concern couples or the difference between birth and death rates.
*   **Replacement Level**: A TFR of 2.1 is generally considered the replacement level, where a population replaces itself without migration.
    *   TFR > 2.1 leads to population growth.
    *   TFR < 2.1 can result in population decline.
*   **Influencing Factors**: TFR is affected by:
    *   Socio-economic status
    *   Education
    *   Access to healthcare
    *   Family planning
    *   Cultural norms
*   **Real-world Example**: India's TFR has steadily declined over decades and is a focus of national population policies.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: The number of children born per 1,000 people in the population in a year.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: The number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: The birth rate minus death rate.