Bihar vs Himachal Pradesh: fertility, marriage age and wanted children

In SRS 2023, Bihar records 2.8 children per woman and Himachal Pradesh records 1.6.

In NFHS-5 (2019-21), women in Bihar had about 3.0 children against a wanted 2.3, and women in Himachal Pradesh had about 1.7 against a wanted 1.4.

41% of women aged 20 to 24 in Bihar were married before 18, compared with 5% in Himachal Pradesh.

Since 2003, the SRS figure fell by 1.4 in Bihar and fell by 0.5 in Himachal Pradesh.

Last updated:

Side by side

MeasureSourceBiharHimachal Pradesh
Children per womanSRS 20232.81.6
Children per womanNFHS-53.01.7
Wanted children per womanNFHS-52.31.4
Actual minus wantedNFHS-50.70.3
Women 20-24 married before 18NFHS-541%5%
Women 15-19 who have begun childbearingNFHS-511%3%
Median age at first marriage, women 25-29NFHS-517.722.5

Trends since 2003 (SRS)

Bihar

Children per woman in Bihar and all-India, SRS 2003 to 2023 Bihar: 4.2 in 2003, 2.8 in 2023. All-India: 3.0 to 1.9. 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 200320132023 2.8 1.9
Bihar All-India SRS, children per woman

Himachal Pradesh

Children per woman in Himachal Pradesh and all-India, SRS 2003 to 2023 Himachal Pradesh: 2.1 in 2003, 1.6 in 2023. All-India: 3.0 to 1.9. 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 200320132023 1.6 1.9
Himachal Pradesh All-India SRS, children per woman