1.45 billion people, urging more children amid falling birth rates.
India, approximately 1.45 billion people living there, is facing issues from dropping birth rates, particularly in southern regions such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Some states, such as Andhra Pradesh, are supporting larger families in order to limit political and economic losses. Experts warn that additional losses could result in shortages of labor and an elderly population, urging people to adjust to demographic shifts.
India's Population Progress
India is now a populated country in the world, surpassing China. It houses around 1.45 billion people. This is quite a notable achievement, and the move has sparked a lot of debate in the southern regions of the country.
The Success of Southern States in Population Control
The five southern states that have led the way in lowering birth rates are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. Tamil Nadu followed around 1993, Kerala in 1988, and additional states joined by the middle of the 2000s. These states now have fertility rates that are comparable to those of several European countries; Tamil Nadu's rate is as low as 1.4. These states are getting frightened though, that their attempts to limit the population increase could have negative political and economic effects.
Encourage the Southern States to Have More Children
Nowadays Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are supporting larger families. The state's population of aged people and decrease in birth rates have prompted Andhra Pradesh to think of incentives to encourage families to have more children. The state has lifted the "two-child policy" for municipal elections, and it is believed that Telangana may follow suit.
Declining Fertility Rates in India
India's fertility rate has notably decreased over time. Women today have about two children, which is just enough to keep the population constant, compared to an average of 5.7 in 1950. Fertility rates in 17 of India's 29 states are currently below replacement levels.
Southern States' Economic Concerns
Demography expert Professor Srinivas Goli notes that despite having stronger economies and making a substantial financial contribution to the country, the southern states are worried about being punished for their effective population control measures.
Fear of Losing Resources and Political Power
Some states worry that changes in their populations may lead to fewer members in parliament and less federal funding. The Indian electoral boundaries will first be redrawn in 2026 since 1976. The southern states may face financial and political losses while the northern states, like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, become more populous. They may find it more difficult to manage their financial difficulties and sustain economic growth as a result.
Effects of Migration and Population Aging
India's population is getting older, which means there are more senior individuals and fewer youthful workers. There is pressure on the conventional family system, which was previously a powerful support system. Migrating to less populated areas from overpopulated states may help minimize some of the problems, but it also raises questions about the impact on local economies and resources.
Demands for Bigger Families
Meanwhile, Requests are growing for families to have more children. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Mohan Bhagwat, who backs Prime Minister Modi's party, recently urged families to have three children or more in order to "secure India's future." He said that society would collapse if the fertility rate fell below the replacement level of 2.1.
The Fertility and Population Decline Debate
Bhagwat has genuine worries, but they aren't true. Demographer Tim Dyson (London School of Economics) believes that a fertility rate of about 1.8 births per woman might result in a gradual but controllable population decline. A rate below 1.6, however, may result in major problems, such as fewer young people joining the labor and a shortage of caregivers for the elderly population. Similar to what is happening in nations like Greece and South Korea, within which low birth rates are a developing issue. This might lead to significant social and economic difficulties.
Limitations of Promoting Bigger Families
Still, a lot of experts think that pushing individuals to have more kids isn't the answer. The rates of fertility are unlikely to return to their prior levels due to changing societal standards, particularly those about gender equality and women's growing empowerment. Although India's birth rates might keep declining for a while. It will be challenging to stop this trend. Rather than attempting to go back in time, the emphasis should be on adjusting the recent demographic realities.
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