The fear that a society with a total fertility rate (TFR)—the average number of children a woman has over her lifetime—below 2.1 could "disappear from the face of the earth" is totally unfounded.
The statement sparked fresh panic, as many who were lamenting a "population explosion" until a week ago now began hand-wringing about a "population collapse".
However, these calls to increase family size are not just misguided, they are fundamentally flawed.
They undermine women's autonomy and overlook the nuanced measures India needs to address its demographic challenges.
India's population dynamics demand thoughtful consideration, not alarm.
In 2023, the country surpassed China as the world's most populous nation.
Its TFR, a crucial demographic indicator, has declined significantly from 3.4 in 1992-93 to 2.0 in 2019-21, dipping below the replacement level of 2.1.
This trend, akin to patterns observed in developed nations, signifies societal progress facilitated by broader access to education, health care, and family planning services.
According to United Nations projections, India's population is expected to peak at 1.7 billion in the 2060s and gradually decline to 1.5 billion by 2100.
This demographic dividend—its large and youthful population—offers an incredible opportunity to reshape the nation's future.
With over 365 million young people aged 10 to 24, India is set to have one of the biggest workforces in the world in the next three decades.
But this potential can be unlocked only if we invest in quality education, child nutrition, accessible health care, skill development, and meaningful jobs.
In the long run, India must also prepare for a steadily ageing population over the next few decades.
By 2050, the proportion of Indians over the age of 60 is projected to double, rising from the current 10% to 20%.
この記事は Hindustan Times Mumbai の December 11, 2024 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は Hindustan Times Mumbai の December 11, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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