The main objective of the Population Policy is to reach replacement level of fertility of 2.1 by 2016. For this purpose, the contraceptive prevalence rate by modern methods must increase from 22 percent in 1998-99 to 52 percent in 2016. Fertility and contraceptive behaviour are inextricably inter-linked to infant and child mortality. To achieve population stabilization, there is an urgent need to reduce the infant mortality rate and also the maternal mortality ratio. The specific objectives of the Population Policy are given below.