The number of Parsi marriages in Bombay almost doubled from 42 in 2020 to 83 in 2021. Interfaith marriages increased from 43 in 2020 to 71 in 2021. Thus interfaith marriages, numbering 71 of the total 153, constituted 46% in 2021. In the preceding year, interfaith marriages had risen to 51% because the pandemic and leap year superstition seemed to have substantially dampened marriage fervor among Parsis.
Forty-two males married out of the community as compared to 28 females in 2021. This means that 59% males opted for spouses of other faiths as compared to 41% females. In 2020, there were 56% males who had married out of the community as compared to 44% females.
The average age of brides reduced marginally from 32 years in 2020 to 31 in 2021, with the youngest bride being 22 years of age and the oldest, 75. For grooms, the average age reduced from 36 to 33, with the youngest being 22 and the oldest 75.
The maximum number of marriages, 33, were seen in the month of January 2021, with 19 Parsi and 14 interfaith marriages. December had the next highest count of 32 marriages with 22 Parsi and 10 interfaith marriages. June and September each had the lowest number of marriages — three — one Parsi and two interfaith.
The total number of deaths reduced by 43 from 841 in 2020 to 798 in 2021. While the count of those consigned to the dakhmas reduced by 83 from 721 to 638, the number of those cremated increased by 40 from 120 to 160. Half this number, 80, had succumbed to Covid last year and hence by law, could only be cremated or buried. Thus 20% of all the deceased were cremated last year as compared to 14% in 2020. The break-up by gender showed 309 males and 329 females were consigned to the dakhmas last year as compared to 321 males and 400 females the previous year. Among those cremated, the number of males increased from 75 to 89; and the number of females from 45 to 71.
The average age at death being 80 in 2020, increased to 81 in 2021. The eldest to die was a 103-year-old female, and the youngest, a 24-year-old male. Among the deceased there were four centenarians and 172 nonagenarians in 2021 as compared to six centenarians and 133 nonagenarians in the previous year. Hence 21% of the deceased in 2021 were over 90 years of age as compared to 17% in 2020.
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.
The number of births stood at 74, the same as the preceding year, as per information available with Parsiana. We are primarily dependent on Breach Candy Hospital for the information on births along with a few families who write in to us directly with documentary proof. As compared to 42 boys and 32 girls born in 2020, there were 35 boys and 39 girls born in 2021.
The data on those consigned at Doongerwadi is provided by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and on those cremated by the Worli Prayer Hall Trust.
Given below are the 2021 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: 35 Girls: 39
Marriages: 153
Parsi: 83 Intercommunity: 70
Males married out: 42
Females married out: 28
Deaths: 798
Consigned to dakhmas: 638
Males: 309 Females: 329
Cremated: 160
Males: 89 Females: 71