Behind the Numbers: Unravelling Reporting Bias in Age and Birth Data from Demographic Health Survey

Jagriti Gupta, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Chander Shekhar, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

This study assesses age and birth reporting accuracy in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) V, the demographic health survey of India by analyzing age and birth ratios, age displacement indices, Myers Index, and UN Joint Scores, difference in number of living children across Indian states. Age ratios reveal state-specific variations in reporting accuracy, with notable over-reporting in states like Andaman & Nicobar Islands and under-reporting in Goa. Age displacement indices further illustrate inconsistencies for ages 13, 14, 50, and 51. The Myers Index indicates significant discrepancies, with high values in states such as Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting data collection challenges. In contrast, Kerala and Lakshadweep show lower Myers Index values, reflecting better accuracy. UN Joint Scores highlight disparities in data consistency, with Punjab scoring highest and Jammu & Kashmir lowest. Urban areas and literate individuals generally report more accurately, while older age groups, less educated, and rural residents show more discrepancies. Logistic regression analysis for matched and unmatched cases of number of living children confirms that age, education, rural residence, and wealth significantly impact reporting accuracy. This study highlights the need for improved data collection practices to enhance the reliability of future surveys.

Keywords: Data and Methods, Data visualisation , Qualitative data/methods/approaches, Linked data sets

See paper.