Missing wood for trees in the population debate
Hindustan Times Punjab|December 11, 2024
Recent statements by public figures encouraging Indian families, particularly women, to have three children once again overlook the real success of India's population policies and have reignited misguided debates on women's autonomy.
Poonam Muttreja
Missing wood for trees in the population debate

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%.

This story is from the December 11, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Punjab.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 11, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Punjab.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES PUNJABView All
Hindustan Times Punjab

'Like Tendulkar is for cricket, Zakir Hussain was for classical music'

As the world of Indian classical music mourns Ustad Zakir Hussain, who died on December 15, few feel the loss as deeply as musician Aditya Kalyanpur.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

When Chay flew to Mumbai

Following their wedding on December 4, actor-couple Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala have opened up about their relationship for the first time.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

Grit in the tail frustrates the hosts, India avoid follow-on

Like in 2021, there was defiance in the damp air of Gabba as Deep and Bumrah steer India towards a likely draw on Day 4

time-read
3 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

How the challenge of batting in Oz changed

KOOKABURRA RELEASED A REDESIGNED BALL FOR TESTS IN 2021 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE GAME MORE EXCITING, BUT IT HAS ONLY MADE BATTING MORE DIFFICULT

time-read
3 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

KIWIS CRUSH ENG BY 423 RUNS TO SEND RETIRING SOUTHEE OUT ON A HIGH

New Zealand tore through England's batting on Tuesday to crush the visitors by 423 runs in the third Test and send Tim Southee into retirement on a triumphant note.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

Jhulan Goswami stand: Another historic moment at Eden Gardens

KOLKATA: At 6.58pm on a misty winter evening near the Eden Gardens change rooms, Jhulan Goswami took the stage. And said she was speechless.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

Hayley shines, WI level series with 9-wicket win against India

NEW DELHI: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews led from the front as the visitors levelled the three-match T20I series with a dominant 9-wicket victory over India in the second game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

SMARTPHONE SALES FALL BELOW COVID-ERA HIGHS

India's $40-billion-plus smartphone economy is likely to continue below the demand in the pandemic era, raising concerns around how the market can revive itself.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

GAZA CEASEFIRE TALKS SWIRL AS OFFICIALS PUSH FOR DEAL

Uncertainty surrounded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's whereabouts on Tuesday after sources briefed on talks about a Gaza ceasefire said he was travelling to Cairo but his office said he was on the northern border with Syria.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Hindustan Times Punjab

Rebellion hits ruling party as MPs demand Trudeau resignation

TORONTO: Hours after the shock resignation of his second-in-command, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was barely clinging on to power even as over a third of the ruling Liberal Party's MPs called for a change in leadership.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 18, 2024