Total Fertility Rate refers to the total number of births given by women in her reproductive age throughout her life. The total fertility rate (TFR) is also known as the fertility rate (FR), period total fertility rate (PTFR) or total period fertility rate (TPFR).
Total fertility rate (TFR) is calculated from age specific fertility rate. Actually, the sum of age specific fertility rate is the total fertility rate. It is the most common and refined form of fertility rate. It is calculated by taking the sum of ASFR and multiplying by 5 and finally dividing the product by 1000 only if the ASFR is calculated in per thousands bases. It is measured per woman. Generally global fertility rates are in decline.
The following formula can be used to calculate TFR.
TFR = (5 x 1121)/1000
Where,
∑ASFR = total sum of age specific fertility rate
TFR = total fertility rate
The given table shows the total fertility rate on the basis of different surveys and researches conducted in different periods of time in Nepal.
Table of total fertility rate Nepal, 1971-2000 AD
| S.N. | Sources of data | Year | TFR |
| 1 | Census 1971 | 1971 | 6.3 |
| 2 | Nepal Fertility Survey 1976 | 1975-76 | 6.3 |
| 3 | The survey on the use of contraceptive devices, 1981 | 1980-81 | 6.3 |
| 4 | Nepal reproductive family planning survey, 1986 | 1984-86 | 5.1 |
| 5 | Nepal reproductive family planning and health related survey, 1991 | 1989-91 | 4.8 |
| 6 | Nepal family health survey, 1996 | 1993-95 | 4.6 |
| 7 | Nepal demographic and health survey, 2001 | 1998-2000 | 4.1 |
| 8 | Nepal demographic and health survey, 2006 | 2006 | 3.1 |
Source: MOHP, 2007, Nepal Population Report, 2007
For example
Calculate TFR from the following ASFR according to the data of 1991 A.D. in Nepal.
| Age | ASFR (per 1000 women) |
| 15-19 | 95 |
| 20-24 | 286 |
| 25-29 | 272 |
| 30-34 | 212 |
| 35-39 | 151 |
| 40-44 | 77 |
| 45-49 | 28 |
| Total | 1121 |
Here,
∑ASFR = 1121
TFR = (5 x 1121)/1000
= 5.61
= 5.61 children per women
Therefore, a woman gave birth to about 6 children in average, in her reproductive life according to the census 1991.
The total fertility in 2001 AD in Nepal was 4.1 per woman. But it decreased to 3.1 per women according to Nepal Demographic and health survey, 2006. There is a decreasing trend of total fertility rate in Nepal which is good but it is still higher than the world’s average total fertility rate. The world’s average total fertility rate is 2.8 children per woman.
