Policy options for population stabilization in Madhya Pradesh, India
by
Alok R Chaurasia
E-13, 45 Bungalows, TT Nagar, Bhopal, MP-462003, India

This paper analyses levels and trends in wanted and unwanted fertility in Madhya Pradesh, India to discuss the policy options for population stabilization in the state. Madhya Pradesh is one of those states of India where population continues to increase at an average annual rate of more than 2 per cent per year. The state has recently announced its own population policy which calls for achieving replacement fertility by the year 2011. The analysis reveals that in all districts of the state, the prevailing levels of unwanted fertility is a major contributor to high fertility whereas in some districts wanted fertility continues to be high. The paper concludes that reduction in both wanted and unwanted fertility is essential to achieve this goal.

Approaches to reduce both wanted and unwanted fertility have also been discussed in the paper.

Date received: September 2, 2004