INDIA'S declining fertility rates, once hailed as a success of family planning policies and socio-economic progress, are now the subject of renewed debate. Recent statements by the CMs of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and the RSS chief underscore a pressing issue: the implications of India's declining fertility for economic growth and sustainability.
Despite achieving replacement-level fertility, India now faces the challenge of below-replacement fertility, which presents new socio-economic hurdles.
India's total fertility rate (TFR) fell to 2.0 in 2019-21, below the replacement threshold of 2.1. Urban areas report a TFR of 1.6, while rural areas remain at 2.1, with only five states—UP (2.3), Bihar (3.0), Jharkhand (2.3), Meghalaya (2.9), and Manipur (2.2)—exceeding this level. Equally important is the net reproduction rate (NRR), which for India is below 1. It suggests the total population will gradually decline as there aren't enough daughters being born to replace the current generation. Can India capitalize on this change for sustainable development, or does it signal an impending crisis?
India has long been seen as poised to benefit from a demographic dividend—a youthful working-age population that could drive economic growth. However, this is contingent on policies that translate a large working-age population into actual economic participation. India's persistently low labour force participation rates pose a significant challenge. So, can India fully harness its demographic dividend when a substantial portion of its population remains economically inactive or underemployed?
Denne historien er fra January 03, 2025-utgaven av The New Indian Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 03, 2025-utgaven av The New Indian Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Partners In Power Games
IN July last year, I wrote in this column in response to news that author Neil Gaiman had been accused of sexual assault by two women \"I would bet my last rupee that there are more than two women out there whom he has harmed this way.\"
Consumption growth remains weak: CEO & MD
FMCG demand trends remained subdued with continued moderation in urban growth while rural sustained its gradual recovery, said Rohit Jawa, CEO and managing director of HUL.
2 more bodies found, C'garh gunfight toll 16
THE security forces engaged in the ongoing anti-Maoist campaign in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, adjoining Odisha border, had recovered two more bodies of the red rebels, including one female, on Wednesday.
Universality in place of parochialism
Matthew Rankin's Persian-French language Canadian film Universal Language is among the fifteen shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film Oscar and perhaps the most unique of the lot in terms of form, vision, imagination and craft.
US federal staff in diversity roles sent on leave
Administration sends note to all employees at Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accesssibility offices that they be placed on paid leave as the programme is shut
The beauty of Brutalism
TAKE a walk down any Indian street at any time of the day. Go with a singular purpose to soak in the beauty of the buildings that line it.
Airtel's new tariff makes it pricier for base users
BHARTI Airtel's new plan, rolled out following the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) directive to introduce a single voice and SMS tariff pack, has made the rates 10-15% more expensive for basic phone users.
Electoral bonds scheme: Petition seeks review of SC's Aug order
A petition filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a review of its August 2, 2024 order, which dismissed earlier pleas for confiscation of ₹16,518 crore received by political parties under the 2018 electoral bond scheme.
DESIGNER DESTINATIONS!
IN recent years, luxury fashion houses have expanded their influence beyond the runway, venturing into the hospitality sector to offer exclusive hotels, spas and suites that embody their brand's essence and a piece of their history.
Woman among 2 Maoists gunned down in J'khand's Bokaro encounter
IN a breakthrough, security forces gunned down two Maoists, including an area commander, during an anti-Naxal operation in Bokaro early Wednesday morning.
