Average size of rural households declines

The average rural household size was 6.2 members in the lowest monthly per capita consumer expenditure (MPCE) class, while it was 3.8 in the highest MPCE class in 2003, according to the latest round of national sample survey on household consumer expenditure and employment.

The 59th round of the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) during January-December 2003 also reveals that the average urban household size was 6.6 and 2.9 in the lowest and highest consumption classes respectively.

The average number of children (those under 15 years of age) in a rural household was 3.1 in the lowest MPCE class, while it was 0.8 in the highest MPCE class.

In urban India, the average number of children per household was about 3.3 in the lowest MPCE class and 0.4 in the highest bracket, indicating that much of the variation in the household size was accounted for by the under-15 age group.

The average household size in rural India was 5.0, including 1.8 children per household. In urban India, the average household size was 4.5, which included 1.3 children.

The survey also reveals that the national rural average MPCE was Rs 554 in 2003. At the state level, the lowest average MPCE for rural areas was Rs 398 in Orissa while the highest was Rs 981 in Kerala.

The average rural MPCE was below Rs 450 in three states, between Rs 450 and Rs 650 in ten states and above Rs 650 in three states. Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal registered a lower average MPCE, for both rural and urban population.

Another interesting result thrown up by the survey was that the sex ratio in urban areas was worse than in rural areas.

In 2003, there were 957 females per 1000 males in the rural areas while the ratio was 932 females per 1000 males in the urban areas.

Fewer in the family

The average rural household size declined steadily from 6.2 members in the lowest monthly per capita consumer expenditure class. It was 3.8 in the highest consumption class

In urban areas, the decline was from 6.6 to 2.9

The average number of under-15 members per rural household also declined from 3.1 in the lowest MPCE class to 0.8 in the highest class