Recent Demographic Changes in India with Special Reference to the Southern States

The study explores the implications of achievement of replacement level fertility rates on different demographic processes, especially changes in the parameters of marriage and marital fertility. Using different rounds of National Family Health Survey data, it finds that in the southern states changes in demographic phenomenon, as an after effect of replacement level fertility, are following the western experience of Second Demographic Transition (SDT) only partially. It may need time to realize the entire process of SDT in India or else the country may adopt an altogether different route of demographic transition suitable to its socio-cultural context.