Bombay: The Telling Figures for 2020

More Parsis marry out, than in

In 2020, for the first time ever, the percentage of interfaith marriages in Bombay exceeded the count of Parsi marriages. There were 42 Parsi to Parsi marriages (49%) as versus 43 Parsi to non-Parsi marriages (51%). In 2019 the interfaith marriage percent was 45%.  2020 is an exceptional year due to the pandemic and the restrictions enforced on social gatherings. Plus some Parsis view a leap year as an inauspicious time to get married. Those marrying non-Parsis probably being of a more unconventional nature may not be so bound by this superstition. But in the preceding leap year, 2016, of the 166 marriages, 103 were Parsi and 63 interfaith.
The interfaith marriage percentages have been steadily increasing since 1987 when Parsiana first started listing marriage data obtained from the Bombay High Court (for Parsi marriages) and the Registrar of Marriages (for interfaith data). The interfaith marriage percentage for 1988, 32 years ago was 14%. On an average the increase works out to 1.59% a year. 
Twenty-four males and 19 females opted for non-Parsi spouses in 2020 which means more men (56%) married non-Parsis as compared to females (44%). The number of Parsi marriages in 2020 declined to 42 from 123 in 2019 and interfaith marriages from 99 in 2019 to 43 in 2020.
The average age of brides increased from 32 years in 2019 to 33 in 2020. For grooms, the average age increased from 34 to 36 years. The youngest bride was 23 years, and the eldest, 53. The youngest groom was 26 years and the eldest, 58 years.
January saw the highest number of community marriages, 19, and interfaith marriages, eight, with February showing the next highest count of 14 community and eight interfaith marriages. There was not a single Parsi or interfaith marriage registered in the months of April, July and August.
The number of deaths increased to 841 in 2020 from 775 in 2019, with 721 (86%) deceased consigned to the dakhmas and 120 (14%) cremated. Covid corpses per se have to be cremated or buried as per law.
The average age at death reduced from 83 in 2019 to 80 in 2020, the youngest to die being a four-year-old girl, and the eldest, two 103-year-old females. The community lost six centenarians and 133 nonagenarians who constituted 17 percent of the deceased in 2020.
For the data on births, Parsiana is primarily dependent on the Breach Candy Hospital and a few families who intimate us along with documentary proof. Parsi birth figures compiled by the Bombay Municipal Corporation are reportedly given to The Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths and the Director General of Health Services, Maharashtra. Parsiana has been unable to access the data from either.
As per the limited information available with Parsiana, there were 74 births in 2020 as compared to 86 in the previous year, a decline of 12. There were 42 boys and 32 girls born in 2020 as compared to 37 boys and 49 girls in 2019.
The data on those consigned at Doongerwadi is provided by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and for those cremated by the Worli Prayer Hall Trust.
Given below are the 2020 demographic details on the Zoroastrian community residing in Bombay, based on information available with Parsiana:

Births (limited information; only those listed in Parsiana): 74
Boys: 42  Girls: 32
Marriages: 85
Parsi: 42  Intercommunity: 43
Males married out: 26
Females married out: 17
Deaths: 841
Consigned to dakhmas: 721
Males: 321 Females: 400
Cremated: 120
Males: 75 Females: 45