Census 2022: Most couples now have 2 children
According to experts, the decline in fertility is due to high living costs and health problems.
By
Aminath Shifleen
Birth rate in Maldives has declined significantly compared to 30 years ago and most couples now have no more than two children, according to census statistics.
The last census data was collected last year. It shows that the population has changed significantly compared to the census in 2014.
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In 2014, the population was 338,434
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In 2022, the population stood at 382,639
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The population increased by 44,205 in eight years
The census showed that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined significantly.
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In 1990, the average fertility rate was 6.4
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30 years ago, most women had an average of 6-7 children
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Based on the current TRF, most women on average are having 1.7 children
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Most people are looking for one or two children; the average number of children is now no more than two
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Statistics show that the TRF has been declining in the past four years
According to the statistics, the birth rate stood at:
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1990 - 6.4
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2000 - 2.8
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2006 - 2.2
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2014 - 2.5
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2022 - 1.7
According to the census, the fertility rate in Maldives has now fallen below recoverable levels.
The authorities have already expressed concern about the decline in the birth rate According to experts, the decline in fertility is due to high living costs and health problems. There is also much speculation around the millennial mindset and outlook on marriage and divorce, among other social issues prevalent in the modern society.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also addressed the issue while opening the fertility care clinic at Tree Top Hospital last May. He said that infertility is a problem in all parts of Maldives and a solution has to be found.
