The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as: | UPSC Prelims 2024 PYQ with Answer

the number of children born per 1000 people in the population in a year.
the number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population.
the birth rate minus death rate.
the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.

Answer

the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.

(a) This is closer to the crude birth rate: number of live births per 1000 population in a year. Incorrect.
(b) TFR is not defined per couple; it is measured as the average number of children a woman would bear over her reproductive years. Incorrect.
(c) Birth rate minus death rate gives the natural growth rate of population. Incorrect.
(d) Total Fertility Rate is the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing years. Correct.