Question

Replacement level is the number of children a couple must produce to replace themselves so as to maintain population at zero growth level. The value of replacement for developed countries is
A) 2.7
B) 2.1
C) 1.9
D) 1.2

Answer 1

In 1966, there were 5.7 births per woman, while there were 2.3 births per woman as of 2014. This is only 0.2 less than the ideal rate of replacement.

Complete answer:
- The replacement rate is the overall rate of reproduction at which women give birth to an appropriate number of children to sustain population levels. The definition of the replacement rate is closely related to the fertility rate concept.
- The rate of replacement is the number of children a woman has to have in order to sustain her family's present demographic size. In other words, reproduction at the replacement stage correctly substitutes a woman and her husband with a net loss of zero as she and her child's father die.

Now, let us find the solution from the options-
- To sustain a population, a replacement rate of around 2.1 is required in developing countries.
- The replacement rate is about 2.3 in less developed nations because of higher rates of childhood and adult mortality.
- In India, only nine states have not achieved replacement levels. They are all based in Southern and Eastern India and in Gujarat. They have not met replacement levels of 2.1 at which the population would begin to decrease.
- India is just 0.2 points away from replacement levels being met.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) 2.1.

Note: The replacement fertility level is the fertility level at which a nation substitutes itself from generation to generation. The replacement level of the TFR will be very similar to 2 in the case of no female mortality till the childbearing age culmination is 44/45/49.