Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India
India: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 56.4% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India, 1971–2021
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
In 2021, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India stood at 56.4%. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is up 17.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India peaked at 56.4% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 9.5%, in 1971.
That places India 36th out of 113 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 9.5% | — |
| 1981 | 28.1% | +195.8% |
| 1988 | 39.9% | +42.0% |
| 1993 | 36.5% | -8.5% |
| 1999 | 42.8% | +17.3% |
| 2000 | 42.3% | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 45.7% | +8.0% |
| 2006 | 48.5% | +6.1% |
| 2008 | 48.2% | -0.6% |
| 2016 | 47.8% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 56.4% | +18.0% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 56.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 1.3× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- India's 56.4% is above the median for South Asia, which is 53.6%, 1.1× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 9.5% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 34.0% | 28.1% | 39.9% | 2 |
| 1990s | 39.6% | 36.5% | 42.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 46.2% | 42.3% | 48.5% | 4 |
| 2010s | 47.8% | 47.8% | 47.8% | 1 |
| 2020s | 56.4% | 56.4% | 56.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near India
More reference data data for India
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 68.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 70.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 19.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 309.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 85.03 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India?
- Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in India was 56.4% in 2021, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 56.4% in 2021.
- What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.5% in 1971.
- How does India rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
- India ranks 36th out of 113 countries with data for 2021.
- Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).