Despite incentives, Parsi birth rate falls by 13%
The number of deaths has far exceeded the number of births in the community over the past decade. The birth-and-death ratio was nearly 1:3 in 2002 when there were 858 deaths in the community compared to 300 births. In 2007, the ratio was a staggering 1:5. The most number of deaths were in 2010 when 926 Parsis/Iranis passed away. In 2002, there were 300 births, the highest in the last decade. The least number of births (147) were in 2008.
Despite various programmes by the BPP, including in vitro fertilisation and priority over others in housing schemes if Parsis get married within the communtiy, the birth rate among Parsis continues to be abysmally low. The central government, too, recently sanctioned Rs10 crore for the community.
Year Birth Death
2009 182 846
2010 210 926
2011 195 786
2012 201 765
2013 174 735
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