Female literacy rate (X₈): This indicator is positively and directly related to development. The level of education of female may affect reproductive behaviour, contraceptives use, seeking antenatal and postnatal checkups, keeping hygienic practices and family size norms. Higher the literacy levels more capable the women is in taking her own decisions regarding the fertility and family planning practices. The female literacy rate, as per the 2001 census findings, is recorded as 54 per cent for the country. The highest female literacy rate was recorded in Kerala (88 per cent) while lowest female literacy rate was recorded in Bihar (34 per cent). Among all the districts in India, Aizwal district in Mizoram recorded the highest female literacy rate (96.64 per cent), while the Araria district in Bihar recorded the lowest female literacy rate (2.14 per cent). 

The index is computed by fixing the upper limit at 96.64 and the lower limit at 2.14.

               Index₈ = 100*(X₈ – 2.14)/(96.64 – 2.14)

             = 100*(X₈ – 2.14)/94.50