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 capitalise 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?
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kannur.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kannur.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
India Needs Stem Cell Donor Registry
Pulse of the Matter
HMPV is mild and non-fatal
NO CAUSE FOR PANIC
Raising the bar pays off for hockey coach Sangwan
A SNUB can either break one down or spur the individual on to scale new heights. Unfortunately, a majority of people end up heartbroken. But a better future awaits those who manage to swallow the bitter pill. Haryana hockey coach Sandeep Sangwan falls under the second category.
Focus on TOPS list as new-look MOC set for 1st significant meet today
NEW Year, new dawn, so it seems for the sports ministry's Mission Olympic Cell that is expected to meet on Tuesday.
Maiden ODI call-up for Bist against Ireland
AFTER nine white ball fixtures in less than a month, three against Australia in the away series and six against West Indies at home, India's regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur and pacer Renuka Singh Thakur have been rested for the three ODIs against Ireland.
FINDING ROOTS OF ENIGMATIC CUMMINS
The Australian captain's on-field success and personality off it are intertwined and it goes back to his upbringing
HIL: Soorma beat Delhi SG Pipers in penalty shootouts
SOORMA Hockey Club clinched a penalty shootout victory against the Delhi SG Pipers in the Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Monday.
Saweety 'even more motivated' after Arjuna honour
AWAY from the spotlight, boxer Saweety Boora, a 21-year-old then, had gone on to capture a silver medal in her very first World Championships at Jeju City in 2014.
Govt Launches Updated ₹4k Cr PLI Scheme for Steel Sector
The government on Monday launched a new round of steel production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, with a total outlay of ₹4,400 crore.
Rupee hits new low of 85.83 on strong dollar
THE rupee continued its southward journey for the fourth month, losing 4 paise to close at a new low of 85.83 on Monday, weighed down by the equity markets amid a persistent bearish trend.
