Assam Will Touch 3.44 Crore Population by 2026: National Health Profile

GUWAHATI: Assam’s population will touch the figure of 3.44 crore by 2026, according to a projection made by National Health Profile 2018. Pointing out that Assam’s population has increased to 3.12 crore (2011 Census) from 2.66 crores (2001 Census), the population policymakers have argued that decadal growth of population at 17.07 percent is unsustainable for the State. The National Health Profile 2018 has projected that by 2026 the State’s population will be 3.44 crore, an increase of 32 lakh from the 2011 census figure. Experts have, however, expressed doubts over the projected figure and said population will be more than 3.44 crore going by the present decadal growth.

On another hand, the National Health Profile 2018 has found that the birth rate in Assam has declined between 2014 and 2016.

The official birth rate of Assam was 22.4 in 2014. But according to the latest, the National Health Profile the birth rate came down to 22 in 2015 and to 21.7 in 2016. The country’s birth rate came down from 21 in 2014 to 20.8 in 2015 and then to 20.4 in 2016.

The birth rate is defined as the number of live births per 1,000 of the population per year. The latest report while citing data of the National Commission on Population said the average birth rate of Assam will be 16.6 by 2025 as against national average of 16.

The Health Profile has also said during 2015 and 2016, Assam’s total fertility rate, the average number of children that will be born to a woman during her lifetime, remained unchanged and equal to the national average. The rate was 2.3.

In 12 States, the rate fell below two children per woman and nine states have reached replacements levels of 2.1 and above. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Bengal have the lowest fertility rate among other countries. “Fertility is declining rapidly, including among the poor and unlettered,” the report said.