Indian Consumer Behavior

CONSUMER LIFESTYLES IN INDIA (NOVEMBER 2004) 1. grounding This report analyses consumer lifestyles in India and founds part of a 52- boorish series that comple work forcets the Euro monitor Consumer Lifestyles Database. Each untaught profile is structured under the under custodyti unityd sub-headings macrocosm Consumer particleation Regional cultivation Home ownership Ho mappingh hoary profiles do work Income Consumer and family expenditure Health Education eating habits Drinking habits Shopping Personal prep Fashion Leisure Savings Media communication theory Transport Tourism The information in this report was ga on that pointd from a king-sized-minded range of sources, starting with the content statistical senescencies. This information was cross-checked for consistency, probability and mathematical accuracy. Secondly, we inadequacy to fill in the gaps in the autho fulld National statistical spotlights by victimisation cloak-and-dagger secto r scenes and prescribed pan-regional and globular sources. Furtherto a big(p)er extent, Euromonitor has carried out an extensive amount of mannikin in order to come up with interesting information sets to complement the subject field standards available.The wide range of sources utilise in the compilation of this report means that at that rest home ar occasion entirelyy discrepancies in the entropy which we were non able to reconcile in every instance. nonetheless off up when the info is produced by the same national statistical office on a specific parameter, wish headspring the hit human in a particular year, discrepancies can occur depending on whether it was derived from a survey, a national census or a projection and whether the data ar mid-year or January. For slow trends, data ar presented for 1990, 1995 and 2000-2003.Where it is interesting to look at projections, the data encompasses 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. Fast-moving trends such as c ommunications atomic scrap 18 illust grazed with data sets relating to 1990, 1995, 2000-2005, 2010 and 2015. Consumer goods data achieve across the period 1998-2003. 2. POPULATION 2. 1 community by date 700 meg Indians ar under the get along with of 35, do India one of the three-year-oldest nations in the world. The state of youth is close to equally divided between men and women, and in terms of come is to a greater extent(prenominal) than the population of Latin America and the Caribbean localize together.The ever-changing demographics can be attri notwithstandinged to a slowdown in stimulate put during the 1990s as well as locomote levels of diseases amongst the 30+ succession radical. The biggest attraction for international emboldeners is perhaps the sheer rime that provide them turn oers that corpo range dream of. The 5-9 year- mount up group was the largest in 2004 though exploitation aim come been falling everywhere the review period. By the e nd of the forecast period though, the 15-19 year- suppurate group is expected to be the largest in a digression from the historical trend indicating that the state pass on board slowly.In absolute terms, 10-14 year olds, 15-19 year olds and 20-24 year olds grew by round 25% since 1990. The changing demographics has been referable to the high levels of birth tramp in the go bad decade resulting in a population that attained these advance levels grade 2000. The population above 70 eld of age go forth more than keep up doubled everyplace the 1990-2015 period. 97% growth is expected amongst the 80+ group over the 2000-2015 period. Migproportionn to opposite countries, rejuvenate wellness c ar and a slowdown in birth roam atomic calculate 18 expected to contribute to near of these trends. The average age of the population is rising, albeit exceedingly slowly.Death grade atomic come 18 dropping gradually with improved access to healthc atomic number 18 but it is withal accompany by rather high levels of birth rate. agree to an Oxford University Press publication by Tim Dyson, Robert Cassen and Leela Visaria by 2015, shifts atomic number 18 expected. The median age would drum to 31 from the current 24, and the proportion of 60+ would rise from 7% to 11%. parry 1 commonwealth by long time 1990-2015 000 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 0-4 yrs 114,799 119,235 120,974 117,342 116,462 116,324 5-9 yrs 102,289 110,845 115,921 118,296 115,260 114,758 10-14 yrs 89,781 cytosine,560 109,302 114,583 117,137 114,226 15-19 yrs 85,268 88,870 99,696 08,541 113,937 116,575 20-24 yrs 77,264 84,180 87,878 98,790 107,722 113,188 25-29 yrs 68,307 76,098 83,001 86,771 97,607 106,430 30-34 yrs 59,422 67,262 74,926 81,753 85,361 95,802 35-39 yrs 49,661 58,435 66,152 73,656 80,244 83,504 40-44 yrs 41,157 48,632 57,281 64,854 72,146 78,395 45-49 yrs 35,384 39,977 47,346 55,842 63,253 70,294 50-54 yrs 31,125 33,892 38,442 45,667 53,980 61,191 55-59 yrs 26,5 47 29,144 31,917 36,391 43,422 51,469 60-64 yrs 21,023 23,942 26,496 29,242 33,590 40,300 65-69 yrs 15,507 17,879 20,598 23,047 25,711 29,807 70-74 yrs 10,547 12,112 14,196 16,614 18,870 21,331 75-79 yrs 6,274 7,213 8,471 10,146 12,127 4,023 80+ yrs 3,678 4,497 5,951 7,536 9,431 11,708 union 838,033 922,775 1,008,549 1,089,072 1,166,258 1,239,325 average age of 21. 68 22. 45 23. 28 24. 31 25. 62 27. 05 population (Years) Death range (per 000 10. 63 9. 49 8. 67 8. 07 7. 66 7. 49 inhabitants) solution UN, Euromonitor none As at 1 January send back 2 state by date (% Analysis) 1990-2015 % of amount of money population 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 0-4 yrs 13. 70 12. 92 11. 99 10. 77 9. 99 9. 39 5-9 yrs 12. 21 12. 01 11. 49 10. 86 9. 88 9. 26 10-14 yrs 10. 71 10. 90 10. 84 10. 52 10. 04 9. 22 15-19 yrs 10. 17 9. 63 9. 89 9. 97 9. 77 9. 41 20-24 yrs 9. 22 9. 12 8. 71 9. 07 9. 4 9. 13 25-29 yrs 8. 15 8. 25 8. 23 7. 97 8. 37 8. 59 30-34 yrs 7. 09 7. 29 7. 43 7. 51 7. 32 7. 73 35-3 9 yrs 5. 93 6. 33 6. 56 6. 76 6. 88 6. 74 40-44 yrs 4. 91 5. 27 5. 68 5. 95 6. 19 6. 33 45-49 yrs 4. 22 4. 33 4. 69 5. 13 5. 42 5. 67 50-54 yrs 3. 71 3. 67 3. 81 4. 19 4. 63 4. 94 55-59 yrs 3. 17 3. 16 3. 16 3. 34 3. 72 4. 15 60-64 yrs 2. 51 2. 59 2. 63 2. 69 2. 88 3. 25 65-69 yrs 1. 85 1. 94 2. 04 2. 12 2. 20 2. 41 70-74 yrs 1. 26 1. 31 1. 41 1. 53 1. 62 1. 72 75-79 yrs 0. 75 0. 78 0. 84 0. 93 1. 04 1. 13 80+ yrs 0. 44 0. 49 0. 59 0. 69 0. 81 0. 94 keep down 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 line of descent UN, Euromonitor short letter As at 1 January instrument panel 3 Population by period (Growth) 1990/2015, 2000/2015 % growth 1990/2015 2000/2015 0-4 yrs 1. 33 -3. 84 5-9 yrs 12. 19 -1. 00 10-14 yrs 27. 23 4. 51 15-19 yrs 36. 72 16. 93 20-24 yrs 46. 50 28. 80 25-29 yrs 55. 81 28. 23 30-34 yrs 61. 22 27. 86 35-39 yrs 68. 15 26. 23 40-44 yrs 90. 48 36. 86 45-49 yrs 98. 66 48. 47 50-54 yrs 96. 60 59. 18 55-59 yrs 93. 88 61. 26 60-64 yrs 91. 69 52. 10 65-69 yrs 92. 2 1 44. 71 70-74 yrs 102. 24 50. 26 75-79 yrs 123. 51 65. 54 80+ yrs 218. 34 96. 76 come in 47. 89 22. 88 Median age of population 24. 76 16. 19 Death rates -29. 52 -13. 55 Source UN, Euromonitor production line As at 1 January 2. Male Population by Age Males relieve oneself 52% of the population. fractional ar under the age of 29 and ar looking for earning opportunities. though easiness and the recent NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government headed by ex-prime minister Shri Vajpayee did a great deal to invest in infrastructure and create jobs, ofttimes of this has plain not percolated down to the lowest income classes if pick results in mid-2004 (when the incumbent government was unceremoniously and unexpectedly voted out) atomic number 18 anything to go by. Not surprisingly, the 5-9 year-age group is again the largest segment, representing well-nigh 11% of the total population.In relative terms, this segment has been stagnant since 1990 and has declined marginally si nce 2000. Due to a larger base, 15-19 year olds bequeath build the largest segment by 2015 despite high(prenominal)(prenominal) growth by opposite groups. In keeping with general demographic trends, the population at a lower place the age of 20 old age grew the maximal over the review period. move mortality rates and better healthc atomic number 18 has sum upd this population group. The median age of the male population in India is approximately the same as the overall median age of the population. It was 22 in 2000 and stands at a undersized more than 24 long time in 2003.Much of India is a male dominated society, and even in urban domains, women are shouldering more and more kinsfolk running responsibilities. On a lighter note, urban men are more conscious of their looks be it robes or even actual personalised features. One would observe many highlighting their hair or even exploring a manicure or a facial massage in big tube cities such as Mumbai or Delhi. The latest corporate entrant to the beauty serve business under the name of Kaya uncase Clinics caters to dickens men and women with clinics even in Dubai. This is a Marico India Limited promoted venture. at that place is an inherent bleak natural category of urban men the metero stimulateual male that is as call foring near c commodehes, footwear, practice of medicine and even grooming aids or beauty treatments as women. In burgeoning malls, men are spending as untold or even more as women due to greater financial liberty in relative terms and the exemption to spend money on particulars of inclination or personal use. The youth inclination items such as cell phones, PDAs and another(prenominal) electronic gizmos. Footwear is another item high in purchase priority. Whether it is consistence piercing or permanent tattoos, it is all active making a statement. seaworthiness and sports-related equipment also catches their fancy.The coming decade from 2004 to 2013 will w atch over growth in the 30-55 age bracket by 2%. This will translate into significantly join ond demand for items such as travel and leisure, planetary house and household items, lifestyle accessories and even lush drinks. sidestep 4 Male Population by Age 1990-2015 000 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 0-4 yrs 59,160 61,431 62,314 60,391 59,897 59,773 5-9 yrs 53,002 57,354 59,926 61,095 59,437 59,106 10-14 yrs 46,682 52,240 56,672 59,329 60,571 58,960 15-19 yrs 44,611 46,274 51,849 56,325 59,034 60,314 20-24 yrs 40,457 44,130 45,829 51,433 55,942 58,675 25-29 yrs 35,848 39,901 43,545 45,268 50,814 55,247 0-34 yrs 31,216 35,289 39,246 42,842 44,475 49,798 35-39 yrs 25,991 30,655 34,636 38,494 41,955 43,397 40-44 yrs 21,137 25,386 29,959 33,846 37,579 40,840 45-49 yrs 17,895 20,428 24,595 29,063 32,849 36,427 50-54 yrs 15,631 17,003 19,497 23,552 27,898 31,550 55-59 yrs 13,346 14,462 15,831 18,258 22,165 26,325 60-64 yrs 10,533 11,826 12,925 14,266 16,588 20,254 65-69 yrs 7,660 8,753 9,948 10,992 12,271 14,405 70-74 yrs 5,127 5,833 6,779 7,820 8,771 9,917 75-79 yrs 3,008 3,398 3,956 4,692 5,527 6,303 80+ yrs 1,756 2,094 2,684 3,338 4,129 5,050 essential 433,062 476,458 520,192 561,005 599,902 636,341 Males as % of total 51. 68 51. 63 51. 8 51. 51 51. 44 51. 35 population Source UN, Euromonitor put down As at 1 January Table 5 Male Population by Age (% Analysis) 1990-2015 % of male population 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 0-4 yrs 13. 66 12. 89 11. 98 10. 76 9. 98 9. 39 5-9 yrs 12. 24 12. 04 11. 52 10. 89 9. 91 9. 29 10-14 yrs 10. 78 10. 96 10. 89 10. 58 10. 10 9. 27 15-19 yrs 10. 30 9. 71 9. 97 10. 04 9. 84 9. 48 20-24 yrs 9. 34 9. 26 8. 81 9. 17 9. 33 9. 22 25-29 yrs 8. 28 8. 37 8. 37 8. 07 8. 47 8. 68 30-34 yrs 7. 21 7. 41 7. 54 7. 64 7. 41 7. 83 35-39 yrs 6. 00 6. 43 6. 66 6. 86 6. 99 6. 82 40-44 yrs 4. 88 5. 33 5. 76 6. 03 6. 26 6. 42 45-49 yrs 4. 13 4. 29 4. 73 5. 8 5. 48 5. 72 50-54 yrs 3. 61 3. 57 3. 75 4. 20 4. 65 4. 96 55-59 yrs 3. 08 3. 04 3. 04 3. 2 5 3. 69 4. 14 60-64 yrs 2. 43 2. 48 2. 48 2. 54 2. 77 3. 18 65-69 yrs 1. 77 1. 84 1. 91 1. 96 2. 05 2. 26 70-74 yrs 1. 18 1. 22 1. 30 1. 39 1. 46 1. 56 75-79 yrs 0. 69 0. 71 0. 76 0. 84 0. 92 0. 99 80+ yrs 0. 41 0. 44 0. 52 0. 60 0. 69 0. 79 TOTAL 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 Source UN, Euromonitor circular As at 1 January Table 6 Male Population by Age (Growth) 1990/2015, 2000/2015 % growth 1990/2015 2000/2015 0-4 yrs 1. 04 -4. 08 5-9 yrs 11. 52 -1. 37 10-14 yrs 26. 30 4. 04 15-19 yrs 35. 20 16. 33 20-24 yrs 45. 03 28. 03 5-29 yrs 54. 12 26. 87 30-34 yrs 59. 53 26. 89 35-39 yrs 66. 97 25. 29 40-44 yrs 93. 22 36. 32 45-49 yrs 103. 56 48. 11 50-54 yrs 101. 84 61. 82 55-59 yrs 97. 25 66. 28 60-64 yrs 92. 29 56. 70 65-69 yrs 88. 04 44. 81 70-74 yrs 93. 41 46. 28 75-79 yrs 109. 53 59. 33 80+ yrs 187. 55 88. 16 TOTAL 46. 94 22. 33 Source UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January 2. 3 egg-producing(prenominal) Population by Age 58% of the Indian feminine population is bel ow the age of 29. Of this 45% are over the age of 15 years. womanly population proportion is likely to go up in the next decade interest stringent official norms for sex close and abortion of the effeminate foetus.The current sex proportionality stands at 933 females per 1,000 males as per the last census. Considering the decline in sex ratio from the previous census in 1991, female infanticide is even so rampant not merely in certain backward farming(prenominal) areas but also in a tender form using modern font applied science in urban areas. Women in urban India charter come a long course since the expectations their mothers or in all probability grandmothers had to live up to. In the sixties and 1970s, it was a rarity to see operative women. It went without saying that female members of the household handled household running responsibilities.Few would be seen garbed in anything but a sari, the national dress. Smoking and imbibing were strict no-nos. stock- yet firing to the beauty parlour was considered exceedingly emancipated Cooking was al airs at home and through with(p) by women. Sacrificing personal wants and compromise were sought after attributes. The scenario dramatically changed in the 1990s with Indias entry onto the world beauty scene. Suddenly, every woman precious to look good or do almost(a)thing that made a difference to her or to someone else. The salwar-kameez is almost a linguistic universal dress code.Originally, a North Indian attire, it caught the imagination of women from every region for its thingmabob and comfort. Young women are ofttimes surer of what they want and how to get it. Domestic duties such as cooking are minimised or interpreted care of in other guidances. They would much rather work or do something that they would much rather be doing. western sandwich-style training consisting of pants and a shirt is much more common even in workplaces. Social drinking is largely gratifying though whitewas h not desirable. On the other hand smoking is still a no-no notwithstanding the rise in number of working women who smoke in public.More and more women today break access to some means of income be it gauzy or large amounts and even take investment decisions or conform to a significant authority in the decision making. Today, one can see a mix of all kinds of women ranging from the handed-down conservative to the ultra modern sophisticate. Even the traditional conservative is surprisingly kind of progressive in emotional matters pertaining to didactics or even careers. While women are at a time increasely comfortable with their bodies and do not mind even flaunting it, they still would prefer striking a balance wheel between home and work.With more and more women earning their own money, they are nowadays almost equally positioned as bread earners in families. Most men find it herculean to deal with this situation since money and the way it must be spent (larger sums tha t belike go beyond household expenses) is still considered a male domain. But there is an increasing segment that is now winning investment decisions as well. The stock food market boom in 2003 attracted large numbers of housewives who got into the act of trading shares, earning just that little bit extra irrespective of their socioeconomic status or commandmental background. The spot towards motherhood is changing.It is now more a matter of choice than chance. Young urban educated women are taking parenting much more seriously. Previously, the first child was innate(p) at an average age of 25, today in some part it is 32 years. Women-on-vacation is another phenomenon slowly becoming tangible at railway platforms, airport lounges and even gravelled roads. oneness, married, disunited or bereaved and antique anywhere from 16-70 years, women are on the move. As the population ages and more working women constitute the Indian population, there will be a demand for items of per sonal use and anti-ageing products and services.The number of women smoking or drinking is also on the rise. Earlier considered taboo, rising pressures maestroly and personally encounter moreover contributed to this changing paradigm. Table 7 Female Population by Age 1990-2015 000 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 0-4 yrs 55,639 57,805 58,660 56,951 56,565 56,552 5-9 yrs 49,287 53,491 55,994 57,201 55,823 55,652 10-14 yrs 43,098 48,320 52,630 55,254 56,565 55,266 15-19 yrs 40,657 42,596 47,848 52,217 54,903 56,261 20-24 yrs 36,806 40,050 42,049 47,357 51,781 54,513 25-29 yrs 32,460 36,197 39,456 41,504 46,793 51,183 30-34 yrs 28,206 31,972 35,680 38,912 0,886 46,004 35-39 yrs 23,671 27,780 31,516 35,163 38,289 40,106 40-44 yrs 20,020 23,247 27,322 31,008 34,567 37,555 45-49 yrs 17,489 19,549 22,752 26,779 30,404 33,867 50-54 yrs 15,493 16,890 18,945 22,115 26,082 29,640 55-59 yrs 13,200 14,683 16,086 18,133 21,257 25,144 60-64 yrs 10,490 12,116 13,571 14,976 17,001 20,046 65-69 yrs 7 ,847 9,126 10,651 12,054 13,439 15,402 70-74 yrs 5,420 6,278 7,417 8,794 10,099 11,414 75-79 yrs 3,266 3,815 4,515 5,453 6,600 7,720 80+ yrs 1,922 2,403 3,267 4,198 5,302 6,658 TOTAL 404,970 446,317 488,357 528,067 566,356 602,984 Females as % of total 48. 32 48. 37 48. 42 8. 49 48. 56 48. 65 population Source UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January Table 8 Female Population by Age (% Analysis) 1990-2015 % of female population 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 0-4 yrs 13. 74 12. 95 12. 01 10. 78 9. 99 9. 38 5-9 yrs 12. 17 11. 99 11. 47 10. 83 9. 86 9. 23 10-14 yrs 10. 64 10. 83 10. 78 10. 46 9. 99 9. 17 15-19 yrs 10. 04 9. 54 9. 80 9. 89 9. 69 9. 33 20-24 yrs 9. 09 8. 97 8. 61 8. 97 9. 14 9. 04 25-29 yrs 8. 02 8. 11 8. 08 7. 86 8. 26 8. 49 30-34 yrs 6. 96 7. 16 7. 31 7. 37 7. 22 7. 63 35-39 yrs 5. 85 6. 22 6. 45 6. 66 6. 76 6. 65 40-44 yrs 4. 94 5. 21 5. 59 5. 87 6. 10 6. 23 5-49 yrs 4. 32 4. 38 4. 66 5. 07 5. 37 5. 62 50-54 yrs 3. 83 3. 78 3. 88 4. 19 4. 61 4. 92 55-59 yrs 3. 26 3. 29 3. 29 3. 43 3. 75 4. 17 60-64 yrs 2. 59 2. 71 2. 78 2. 84 3. 00 3. 32 65-69 yrs 1. 94 2. 04 2. 18 2. 28 2. 37 2. 55 70-74 yrs 1. 34 1. 41 1. 52 1. 67 1. 78 1. 89 75-79 yrs 0. 81 0. 85 0. 92 1. 03 1. 17 1. 28 80+ yrs 0. 47 0. 54 0. 67 0. 80 0. 94 1. 10 TOTAL 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 Source UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January Table 9 Female Population by Age (Growth) 1990/2015, 2000/2015 % growth 1990/2015 2000/2015 0-4 yrs 1. 64 -3. 59 5-9 yrs 12. 91 -0. 61 10-14 yrs 8. 23 5. 01 15-19 yrs 38. 38 17. 58 20-24 yrs 48. 11 29. 64 25-29 yrs 57. 68 29. 72 30-34 yrs 63. 10 28. 94 35-39 yrs 69. 43 27. 26 40-44 yrs 87. 59 37. 45 45-49 yrs 93. 65 48. 86 50-54 yrs 91. 31 56. 45 55-59 yrs 90. 48 56. 32 60-64 yrs 91. 10 47. 72 65-69 yrs 96. 28 44. 61 70-74 yrs 110. 60 53. 89 75-79 yrs 136. 38 70. 98 80+ yrs 246. 49 103. 82 TOTAL 48. 90 23. 47 Source UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January 2. 4 fruitfulness and extradite magnificence rates in India fell to 2. 9 in 2003. The de cline can be attributed to the rise in mean age at marriage and the recess of the child-bearing decision.The average age of Indian women at child birth rose to 28 years in 2003. In some urban areas and underpass cities it could well be early 30s. As women stress higher upbringingal and professional achievements, urban families are postponing having children. In many cases, one of the reasons cited is that they would like to know their spouses better forrader giving rise to a affectionate responsibility. Amongst celebrities such as personalities from the direct industry as well as fashion, adoption is being increasingly accepted. These are usually highly successful, financially self-employed person women who cannot or do not find the requirement for a spouse to get ahead children.Men still take a back seat where adoption is concerned. A set down change in the way earning opportunities present themselves in an increasingly undefended economy and the transient nature of jo bs, value and money fork out made Indians seek personal confidence and stability earlier committing themselves further. nascence program line has viewd total government support irrespective of the semipolitical party in power. However, a large number of women may not be able to afford birth control even if they wish to do so. boastfully numbers of couples want to space or limit births but they are not using any method of contraception. jibe to official sources, a nationwide survey it undertook showed that approximately 16% of couples or about 30 million couples waste an unmet need for contraception. High fertility is one in-chief(postnominal) factor affecting the reproductive health of women. One out of every 75 women of reproductive age dies from child birth-related causes. early(a) reproductive health indicators also ruminate a in the main poor health status. Only 15% of mothers receive cease antenatal care, and unaccompanied 58% receive any iron/folate tablets or syr up. Only 34% of deliveries take place in facilities, and, at best, 42% are assisted by a health professional.Though there are official government norms for promoting two children families, there are many holding public positions that have three or quartet or even more children. It is therefore rocky for lawmakers who themselves go against government policies to implement them with complete resolution. in that location is a wide difference in the population growth rates amongst various states. Southern states have achieved a greater measure of success in almost stabilising their birth rate growth due to a higher level of reading and literacy in general. On the other hand, Northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar represent a dismal picture. in that respect is an unmet need for family planning in these states and about 25% of it is in Uttar Pradesh (UP) state. Is it a son or a girl? The bequest of a declining sex ratio in the history of the Census of India took a new turn with the widespread use of new reproductive technologies (NRTs) in urban areas. NRTs are found on the principles of selection of the desirable and rejection of the unwanted. In India, the desirable is the baby male child and the unwanted is the baby girl. The result is provable the Census of 2001 revealed that with a sex ratio of 933 women for every 1,000 men, India had a deficit of 3. million women when it entered the new millennium. To stop the abuse of in advance(p) scientific techniques for selective elimination of female foetuses through sex -determination, the government of India passed the Pre-natal symptomatic Techniques (PNDT) Act in 1994. But techno-docs based in the metropolises and other urban centres, and parents keen of be get only sons, have subverted it. Outreach to the most under fire(predicate) elements of the population is very limited, and the quality of services, in general, is poor. Additional constraints dwell in the tar of services.For family planning, the choice of methods is often limited and sterilisation remains the method of choice. Other approaches, including delaying the age of marriage and first pregnancies, and boost long-term birth intervals, present major social and policy challenges. Religious and medical barriers exist in some areas, as do cultural issues associated with the preference for boys and denial of opportunities for girls and women. However, both the private and the public sector are taking substantial initiatives in the area of healthcare and there have been some improvements.Fertility rates fell by 23% over the 1990-2003 period though there was a slight increase in 2002. whatsoever studies have shown that the increase was due to natural calamities in 2001 and 2002 come with by civil disturbances when citizens were mostly restrict to their homes and had limited entertainment options. The fertility rate fell the following year by nearly 4% in 2003 over 2002 in keeping with the trend over the last decade. Table 10 Fertility and Birth 1990/1995, 2000-2003 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 Average age of women at 20. 40 24. 20 26. 70 27. 20 27. 80 28. 33 hildbirth (years) Birth rates (per 000 30. 07 27. 45 24. 90 24. 37 23. 78 23. 40 inhabitants) Fertility rates 3. 80 3. 48 3. 06 2. 99 3. 02 2. 91 (children born per female) Source National statistical offices, Council of Europe, UN, CIA arena Factbook, Euromonitor Table 11 Fertility and Birth (Growth) 1990/2003, 2002/2003 % growth 1990/2003 2002/2003 Average age of women at childbirth 38. 87 1. 91 Birth rates -22. 18 -1. 60 Fertility rates -23. 42 -3. 64 Source National statistical offices, Council of Europe, UN, CIA World Factbook, Euromonitor 2. 5 Population by marital precondition in that location are only two dominant types of population by marital status in India married or single. marry conjoin couples form more than half the population in India. matrimony is a sacred institution accompanied and governed by numer ous social and spiritual customs and sanctions. Elders in the family normally put in marriages in most of India and even with changing social fabric, parental acceptance and blessings are important. The result is a blend of the old and the new where brides/bridegrooms-to-be actually meet or see each other before the marriage and are allowed to exercise their choices. trade union and child rearing is an accepted way of life and youngsters between the ages of 18 and 30 do look forward to cave in down and getting married. An unmarried individual would stand out in the preponderantly middle-class Indian society. However, acceptance of this is also increasing. There are a number of young adults, usually successful in their own lives, who choose not to get married or are ineffective to get married. Cracks and strains have started showing in a number of marriages due to postponement of the marriage decision, new income earning opportunities, changing lifestyles, new technologies and a sea change in attitudes and spirations in urban India. Hence, married families in 2003 grew at a slower rate than divorced or single families at only 1. 4%. fall apart Divorce is a little uncommon but is ripening in incidence with young couples not willing to compromise or spend time on making a relationship successful. Interestingly, it is couples who knew each other before marriage that are see a rise in divorce rather than arranged family affairs that are part of Indian convention. There are instances of certain communities that are using technology (SMSs Short Messaging System) to divorce their spouses by sending the message divorce thriceThe number of divorce cases filed in some cities reaches as high as 17,000 cases in Kolkata city with Pune having the least at 2,000. Some 9,000 cases are filed each year in Mumbai city alone. Widowers Widowers form a small 5% of Indian society that predominantly consists of youth. Rising longevity, increasing age at marriage and even soc ial reform with respect to child widows, child marriages and widow remarriage have contained the growth of this category of the population. There are not too many widows/widowers in urban areas and even these generally stay with their families as in their sons or daughters.In certain rural areas, with neglect of healthcare and awareness of a number of health conditions, widowers could form a pretty larger population segment. Co-habitation Co-habitation is still not viewed with much respect in a society steeped in tradition. In the Western state of Gujarat there is actually a quasi-legal arrangement called Maitri Karar that stipulates the responsibilities of a contract fellowship. However, there are a growing number of homosexuals both men and women, who have come out of the closet and are finding some acceptance.There are at least five lesbian groups in the country which are try to provide dignity to this section of the populace. There is a large number who is plausibly not ev en aware of their preferences and go through much turmoil in the process. Yet, permissiveness is at an all-time high. 27% of the population in Bangalore Chennai 28% Delhi 22%t Hyderabad 20% Kolkata 32% Mumbai 24% feel that both partners should be absolve to have extramarital sex with the spouses consent. Delhiites are most likely to have done it at a younger age than their counterparts in other cities.Hyderabadis and Mumbaikars show the maximum inclination to infidelity. Adultery is going middle-class, to small-town India, going commonplace, even going boring. Dangerous liaisons used to be for the aristos and the plebs. Those in between, the middle classes, were tethered by moral chastity belts only their fantasies could roam freely. Or it was all at bottom the family, the extramarital dalliances, that is. The scarlet letter is now fading fast stigma is getting passe and guilt for an increasing number is no more than a twitch. novel technology is an important factor encouraging the phenomenon.Internet and mushrooming cyber cafes have helped, as have mobile phones and SMS facilities. Middle-class India is having a great time and most Westerners are take aback at the change. Table 12 Population by marital Status 1990/1995, 2000-2003 000 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 Married 471,829 494,405 516,978 524,708 532,254 539,637 Divorced 3,093 5,010 8,059 8,214 8,365 8,510 Widowed 52,532 56,663 53,373 54,144 54,895 55,629 single(a) &038 other/unknown 310,578 366,696 430,138 438,100 445,958 453,729 TOTAL 838,033 922,775 1,008,549 1,025,166 1,041,471 1,057,505 Average age of women at 19. 00 22. 90 25. 50 25. 90 26. 50 26. 97 first marriage (years)Source National statistical offices, Council of Europe, UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January Table 13 Population by Marital Status (% Analysis) 1990/1995, 2000-2003 % of total population 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 Married 56. 30 53. 58 51. 26 51. 18 51. 11 51. 03 Divorced 0. 37 0. 54 0. 80 0. 80 0. 80 0. 80 Widowed 6. 27 6. 14 5. 29 5. 28 5. 27 5. 26 Single &038 other/unknown 37. 06 39. 74 42. 65 42. 73 42. 82 42. 91 TOTAL 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 Source National statistical offices, Council of Europe, UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January Table 14 Population by Marital Status (Growth) 1990/2003, 2000/2003 growth 1990/2003 2000/2003 Married 14. 37 4. 38 Divorced 175. 1 5. 59 Widowed 5. 9 4. 23 Single &038 other/unknown 46. 09 5. 48 TOTAL 26. 19 4. 85 Average age of women at first marriage 41. 93 5. 75 Source National statistical offices, Council of Europe, UN, Euromonitor Note As at 1 January 2. 6 Population by tuitional Attainment Indians place a lot of importance on higher education as is evident from the number of graduates as well as the number of Indians doing exceedingly well in other parts of the world. Despite huge odds, the literacy rate now stands at more than 65% for the country as a whole.In terms of numbers, most of the population has some form of primary educ ation. Kerala is the only state that has 100% literacy. Public expenditure on education now stands at 4% of GDP, well below the Kothari Commission recommendation of 6% way back in 1968. The private sector is now taking increasing initiatives in primary level education after having participated in a complicated fashion in the form of self-financed colleges and institutions of higher learning. This is one of the factors for higher growth in the level of education attainment at higher levels as compared to primary education.There are about 888,000 educational institutions in the country with an enrolment of about 179 million. primary Education System in India is the mho largest in the World with 149 million children of 6-14 years enrolled and almost three million teachers. This is about 82% of the children in the age group. irresponsible education has been enforced in four States and Union Territories (UTs) at the primary present of education while in octette States/UTs there is compulsory education masking piece the entire elementary stage of education. As many as 20 States/UTs have not introduced any measure of compulsion.Though education is in the concurrent disposition (ie both the Central and State governments are responsible for this social sector) of the Constitution, the State politicss play a very major role in the development of education particularly in the primary and the secondary education sectors. In order to facilitate donations including littler amounts from India and abroad for implementing projects/programmes connected with the education sector, the Government constituted the Bharat Shiksha Kosh as a order registered under the Society Registration Act, 1860.The Kosh was officially launched on 9 January 2003 during the celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. The Kosh will receive donations/contributions/endowments, from individuals and corporate, Central and State Governments, non-resident Indians and sight of Indian origin for vari ous activities across all sectors of education. Table 15 Population by Educational Attainment 1990/1995, 2000-2003 000 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 immemorial &038 no education 372,583 378,124 391,590 400,014 408,770 417,596 Secondary 79,103 121,874 163,622 167,434 171,221 175,064 high 79,478 92,137 107,140 109,858 112,464 115,123 TOTAL 531,164 592,134 662,352