Pattern of Childlessness among Currently Married Indian Women Either Due to Primary Infertility or Delaying Childbirth by Choice: An Analysis Based on NFHS-Data

Angan Sengupta, Department Of Management, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bangalore
Anusree Manoharan, Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru
Aravind Nair U K, Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru
Vidhura Tennekoon, Indiana University

This study examines the pattern of childlessness among Indian women who are currently married for at least 3 years and 5 years, across selected socio-demographic variables either due to primary infertility or delaying of childbirth by choice. A comparative analysis is presented focusing on married women aged 15-39 years and 40-49 years, using the data on Children Ever Born, and contraception usage from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 (2005-2006) and NFHS-5 (2019-21) data. The socio-economic gap in intention to use contraception shrinks in NFHS-5 among 15-39 years age category, given a rise among rural and underprivileged sections. Odds for primary infertility is lowest among rural, poorest and illiterate women. Among 40-49 years, unlike in NFHS-3, in NFHS-5, education, residence and wealth index are significantly associated with primary infertility. The percentage of women delaying childbirth has remained low. After a rise from NFHS-3 figures, around 2.5 % of 15-39 years and 4.1% of 40-49 years old women, who were childless during the NFHS-5 survey, opined that the ideal number of children should be zero. India is entering the fourth phase of demographic transition, and hence this is important to understand the pattern of childlessness among Indian population.

Keywords: Fertility, Family Planning and Contraception

See paper.