India: Why a nation of 1.45 billion wants more children

Summary

Despite surpassing China as the world’s most populous country, parts of India are encouraging higher birth rates due to concerns over declining fertility and rapid aging.

Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where fertility rates are below replacement levels, fear losing political representation and federal revenue after upcoming electoral boundary reforms.

India also faces challenges of an aging population with inadequate social infrastructure.

Experts call for policies promoting active aging, extended working years, and better use of India’s demographic dividend to address economic and social pressures.