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Mizoram Faces Crisis: Falling Births, High Male Deaths
2 Nov
Summary
- Mizoram's total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1.
- Registered male deaths in 2025 were significantly higher than female deaths.
- Experts link declining fertility to urbanization and high male mortality to substance abuse.
Mizoram is experiencing a significant demographic shift as its total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen below the replacement level necessary for population stability. Data from NFHS-5 indicates a TFR between 1.87 and 1.9, down from 2.26 in NFHS-4. Urban areas exhibit an even lower TFR of 1.6 children per woman. This trend, coupled with a worrying gender disparity in registered deaths, has alarmed experts.
Official data for 2025 reveals 10,055 registered deaths, with male fatalities constituting a high 64.84% (6,520 deaths) compared to 35.16% for females (3,535 deaths). This imbalance, particularly among working-age men, is a grave concern. Social workers point to factors like drug and alcohol abuse as contributing causes, especially given Mizoram's status as a dry state.
The state recorded 31,294 births in the same period, with a slight male majority. The decline in fertility has led to local initiatives and incentives, including encouragement from major religious denominations like the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, to promote larger families. Immediate studies are called for to understand the high male mortality and its long-term demographic and social consequences.
