The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a significant multi-round survey performed across numerous households in India. The recent release was the 2nd phase of the fifth round, known as NFHS-5. The report offers valuable insights into multiple areas, including population characteristics, health, family welfare and other related domains. The study emphasizes critical indicators like fertility, family planning, maternal and child health, nutrition, morbidity and healthcare, among others.
This latest iteration, NFHS-5, brings in some fresh aspects like pre-school education, frequency of alcohol and tobacco use, additional components of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and more. The data gathered from NFHS-5 are integral in evaluating India’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also presents stratified data based on socio-economic and other background characteristics, making it an invaluable resource for policy formation and program implementations.
Key Highlights from the NFHS-5 National Report
Fertility Rates
The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India has seen a decline from 2.2 to 2.0 at the national level between NNFHS 4 and 5. Fertility rates remain highest in Bihar and Meghalaya while being lowest in Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Only five states have a fertility rate higher than the replacement level of 2.1 which are Bihar, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Manipur.
Underage Marriages
There has been a reduction in the national average of underage marriages. The latest data indicates that 23.3% of women get married before the legal age of 18 years, down from 26.8% reported in NFHS-4, while the figure for men stands at 17.7%.
Teenage Pregnancies
The rate of teenage pregnancies has also seen a slight decrease from 7.9% to 6.8%.
Use of Contraceptive Method
The report also highlights that employed women are more likely to use a modern contraceptive method compared to those who are unemployed. Additionally, regions with increased socioeconomic progress have seen a rise in contraceptive use.
Domestic Violence Against Women
Domestic violence against women has marginally decreased in recent years, from 31.2% in 2015-16 to 29.3% in 2019-21.
Institutional Births and Immunisation Level
The number of institutional births has significantly increased, and more than three-fourths (77%) children aged 12-23 months were fully immunised, up from 62% in NFHS-4.
Nutrition and Obesity
While stunting among children under five years has marginally declined, the prevalence of overweight or obesity has risen in most states.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The NFHS-5 data shows overall improvement in SDGs indicators in all States/Union Territories (UTs). It also indicates that married women participate actively in household decision-making processes, a sign of their elevated social status.
