Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has sparked a fresh debate by suggesting incentives for larger families and appealing for more children to address concerns about an ageing population by 2047 in India.
He proposed that those with more than two children be allowed to contest local body elections. Naidu’s remarks reflect growing anxiety about the demographic shift, which is seeing fewer young people in the workforce and a rapidly increasing elderly population.
But while Naidu’s solution to the problem of an ageing population seems straightforward, the reality of India’s demographic future is far more complex.
South India’s low fertility rates
The fertility rate in South Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, stands at 1.6, which is much lower than the national average of 2.1. While this might seem like a stabilising factor for a country with over 1.4 billion people, the falling fertility rates are beginning to ring alarm bells about the long-term consequences.
Echoing Naidu’s call for more children, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin made a similar, but humorous, remark. During a mass wedding event, he referenced traditional Tamil blessings, joking that people might consider having 16 children in response to the upcoming Lok Sabha delimitation, which could reduce the state’s political representation.
While both leaders have raised concerns about demographic shifts, they overlook a crucial point: the lifestyle and priorities of educated, urbanised youth have dramatically changed. Modern Indian couples are often choosing to delay or forgo children entirely, and this decision is driven by several factors.
Postponing parenthood
A key reason behind the declining fertility rates in southern states, and across urban India, is the evolving mindset of young, educated couples. Today’s working youth are prioritising career development, financial security, and personal freedom over starting families. Many are postponing marriage and parenthood to focus on their careers and enjoy life without the responsibilities that come with raising children.
Additionally, growing concerns about global instability, from political conflicts to climate change, have also played a role in these decisions. Relentless heatwaves, increasing natural disasters, and the threat of global wars have made parenthood a more daunting prospect. Many young Indians are questioning whether it is responsible to bring children into a world that is becoming more uncertain and challenging by the day.
This shift in societal priorities is contributing to the lower fertility rates in regions like the Telugu states and Tamil Nadu, where smaller families have become the norm.