Sikkim’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.1 births per woman, one of the lowest rates globally, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21. This figure is significantly below India’s national average of 2.0 births per woman. The state’s fertility rate has steadily declined over the past two decades, falling from 2.0 in 2005-06 to 1.2 in 2015-16 before reaching its current low. Sikkim now mirrors nations like South Korea (0.78), Hong Kong (0.70), and Macao (0.66), which are grappling with demographic challenges due to low birth rates.
Experts warn that prolonged fertility decline could result in an aging population, labor shortages, and heightened strain on social welfare systems. Key factors contributing to this trend include higher contraceptive use, delayed marriages, economic challenges, and evolving socio-economic priorities. Rural Sikkim faces additional challenges, with high sterilization rates among less-educated women exacerbating the birth rate decline. Continued trends may lead to demographic imbalances affecting economic growth and workforce stability.
Experts recommend policy interventions such as financial incentives for larger families, better childcare support, and family-friendly work policies to counter the decline. The state government may need to strike a balance between population growth and sustainable development to maintain Sikkim’s socio-economic stability.