Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin raised the issue of aging population.
Population is once again a topic of discussion. This time the issue was raised by the Chief Minister of South India. N. Chandrababu Naidu, the first chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, and MK Stalin, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, called for more children. On Saturday, Naidu expressed concerns about falling fertility rates and aging populations in southern states, but today the Tamil Nadu chief minister added something else.
Stalin made it clear – our population is decreasing and this will also affect our seats in the Lok Sabha. Therefore, the time has come for newlyweds to have 16 children each. The reason behind such remarks by two chief ministers of south India at the same time is the fertility rate in these states. Many reports indicate that this number is much lower than the Indian average. Let us understand why Chandrababu Naidu is more worried than others about when will India become an aging nation if this continues.
Why is Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu more nervous?
First – According to Chandrababu Naidu, the fertility rate in southern India has reached 1.6, well below the national average of 2.1. There are many such villages in Andhra Pradesh and South India where only old people are left. The young people are not here.
Second, in July this year, Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary for Health Affairs MT Krishna Babu said that the fertility rate in the state was 1.5. According to Krishna Babu, 800,000 babies are delivered every year in Andhra Pradesh, which is lower than the national average.
Third, apart from the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, the NFHS-5 data also confirms that the fertility rate in the southern states is much lower than the national average. The situation in Andhra Pradesh is also quite worrying. Andhra Pradesh – 1.70. Karnataka – 1.70. Kerala – 1.80. Tamil Nadu – 1.80. Telangana – 1.82.
Fourth – According to the Lancet, India’s fertility rate in 1950 was 6.18. It drops to 1.91 in 2021. If any population in the world had a fertility rate of around 2.1, that would be pretty good. But falling fertility rates are considered a cause for concern.
Fifth, even if we do a comparative study of Andhra Pradesh chief minister, secretary and NFHS-5 reports, the fertility rate in the state is between 1.5 and 1.7. This is clearly well below the Indian average of 1.9. For this reason, Naidu is more worried about population decline.
Solution – The Andhra Pradesh government is considering providing incentives to families with more children. Also, a law is being considered to provide that only those with more than two children can contest local body elections.
When will India become a nation of senior citizens?
As we know, India’s fertility rate is continuing to decline, according to the Lancet report. Due to the rate of decline in fertility, India’s fertility rate is likely to reach 1.29 by 2050. At the same time, the ratio is expected to fall to 1.04 by the end of the century, in 2100.
Its profound impact on our society can be seen. The decline in the number of working people may increase the health challenges of the elderly population. Moreover, India can escape the category of a demographically advantaged country.
The reason for the decline in India’s fertility rate is first of all, people’s education level, the popularity of medical facilities and the increase in the number of working women. Secondly, the delay in marriage and then the challenges of managing a child during pregnancy.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, India’s population is aging rapidly due to falling fertility rates. If this situation continues, by 2050 the number of people over 80 will nearly triple compared to 2022.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, by 2050, more than 20% of India’s population will be elderly. At the same time, India’s elderly population will exceed the number of children (0 to 15 years old) by 2046. In this way, India has entered the ranks of aging countries.
