India's fertility rate drops below replacement level even as population hits 1.46 billion: UN report
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
India's population has reached 1.46 billion in 2025, cementing its position as the world's most populous nation, even as its fertility rate continues to decline, according to the United Nations Population Fund 's (UNFPA) State of World Population Report released on Tuesday.The report projects that India's population will peak at around 1.7 billion over the next 40 years before beginning to shrink. In comparison, China's population is estimated to be 1.41 billion this year. Last year, India's population stood at 1.44 billion, according to the World Population Prospects 2024 report released by the UN in July.The total fertility rate (TFR) in India has now fallen to 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population across generations. The UNFPA report highlights that while the national average reflects progress, it conceals sharp disparities across regions, economic classes and social groups.This contrast has created what the report calls a 'high fertility and low fertility duality.' States such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh continue to show high fertility rates due to poor access to contraception, limited healthcare services and entrenched gender norms. In contrast, states like Delhi, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have sustained below-replacement fertility levels. In these states, many urban, educated middle-class couples are delaying or opting out of parenthood because of rising costs and work-life conflicts.India has seen a significant decline in fertility over the decades, from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to around two today. The National Family Health Survey of 2019–21 recorded a TFR of 2.0 for the first time, signaling the shift below replacement level.Despite this progress, the report notes that millions in India still face barriers to making informed reproductive choices. Many women are unable to freely decide if and when to have children. The focus, the UNFPA urges, should shift from concerns over falling fertility to fulfilling reproductive intentions.'This is the real crisis, not underpopulation or overpopulation. The answer lies in greater reproductive agency, a person's ability to make free and informed choices about sex, contraception and starting a family,' the report says.Supporting this, a UNFPA-YouGov survey of 14,000 people across 14 countries, including India, found that one in three Indian adults reported experiencing unintended pregnancies. Another 30 percent said they were unable to have as many or as few children as they wanted. Notably, 23 percent experienced both.Financial constraints were the most cited barrier, with nearly four in ten respondents naming it as a reason they could not have the families they desired. Other hurdles included job insecurity (21 percent), housing issues (22 percent), and lack of access to reliable childcare (18 percent).The report calls for a fundamental shift in population policy discourse, urging governments to prioritise reproductive rights and support systems over alarmist reactions to demographic change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
Need for awareness of Constitution stressed
Ongole: The speakers at the programme, 'Indian Constitution- Minimum Awareness' and prize distribution for the elocution competition held in Ongole on Saturday, emphasised that the Indian constitution guarantees freedom, equality, and empowerment, but the people with no awareness of it are losing them one by one. Prakasam Zilla Abhivriddhi Vedika president and Samyukt Kisan Morcha district convener Chunduri Rangarao presided over the meeting that was held by the Prakasam Zilla Abhivriddhi Vedika, Organisation for Protection of Democratic Rights, Democratic Rights Protection Forum, and other public fronts, and in which former Chief Information Commissioner Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu, former Agriculture Minister and state convener for Samyukt Kisan Morcha Vadde Sobhanadriswara Rao participated as the chief guests. Addressing the gathering, Sridhar Acharyulu expressed concern that many Indians still lack basic constitutional knowledge and are confused over the celebrations of Independence Day and Republic Day. He noted that Dr BR Ambedkar enshrined equal rights, freedom, and liberty for all citizens in the Constitution, but ruling parties make amendments according to their preferences. He criticised the attempt of the Election Commission to delete 65 lakh votes in Bihar and appreciated the Supreme Court intervention. He questioned the fate of democracy in the State when the locals are forced not to use their right to vote. He warned the youth to keep track of their vote and exercise their right to elect only people with no criminal background. He highlighted economic inequality, stating that while a few corporate forces accumulate wealth worth lakhs of crores, the majority's economic situation deteriorates significantly. Former Agriculture Minister Sobhanadriswara Rao emphasised that constitutional awareness helps citizens understand both their rights and duties. He criticised rulers for trampling the constitution while allowing corporate forces to exploit national resources. He noted that 48 percent of national wealth is concentrated among 21 corporate entities. Rangarao observed that the makers of the constitution wanted everyone in the country to prosper with development, education, and opportunities, but this was not achieved even after 79 years of Independence. He said that though people are educated now, they do not have the minimum understanding of their constitutional rights and duties. That is why, he opined, the rulers are infringing on the rights of the public. Other speakers, Retired Degree College principal Sanku Manorama, Senior Advocate Panguluri Govindaiah, OPDR president Chavali Sudhakar, Chunchu Seshaiah, and others observed that the constitution is in crisis now. They said that the rulers are promoting religious patriotism while endangering secularism in the country. They said that the people claiming themselves as public servants were torturing the public, and are even pressuring the judges. They said that though the constitution is not comprehensive, the fundamental rights are still able to protect the public. The seminar concluded with the prize distribution for the winners of the elocution competition, which was held from July 20. Saisri from Addanki GGH School won first prize, Farhan from Markapur ZPHS secured second place, and M Nandini from Etamukkala ZPHS received third prize, along with several consolation prizes from others.
Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
Respecting both traditions hallmark of Indian culture, says Madhav
Vijayawada: BJP State president PNV Madhav on Friday stated that Muslims are an integral part of this nation and that many Muslims laid down their lives during India's freedom struggle. He said that India achieved independence through Hindu-Muslim unity and that respecting each other's traditions and practices is a hallmark of Indian culture. He also recalled the roles of Ashfaqulla Khan and Ram Prasad Bismil in the freedom movement. The BJP president hoisted the national flag at the 79th Independence Day celebrations organised by Muslim Hakkula Parirakshana Samithi. He congratulated the people of AP on the occasion of ID celebrations and recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters. Telugu Desam Party politburo member and Political secretary TD Janardhan, speaking at the event, noted that because of the programme organised by MHPS, people learned not only about well-known leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel but also about many Muslim freedom fighters. He stressed the importance of bringing awareness about these unsung heroes to the entire nation and Shibli, president of the Minority Rights Protection Committee, stated that unity in diversity is the core mantra of India's progress. He added that although Muslims had the opportunity to migrate to Pakistan at the time of partition, many chose to stay, declaring India as their motherland and showcasing their patriotism. 'We are the descendants of those patriots,' he said. The event saw the participation of a large number of Madrasa students and Muslim women. Sk Baji, BJP Minority Morcha State president, Syed Arshad, MHPS secretary, Advocate Md Saleem Pasha, MHPS Legal Division State president Pilli Surendra Babu and others were present.
Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Russia lost an oil client, which is India: What Trump said before meeting Putin
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Saturday and held talks the Republican described as "productive". While he said the two leaders were yet to reach a deal in terms of the Ukraine crisis, "great progress" was made. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.(REUTERS) As Trump departed for Alaska to meet his Russian counterpart earlier today, he spoke about his expectations from the meeting. In a conversation with Fox News, Trump was asked if there was an economic side to Putin coming to the table for talks, to which the US President mentioned India, saying Russia "lost a major client for their oil". "Well, they lost an oil client so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40% of the oil, China as you know is doing a If I did secondary sanctions now, that would be devastating from their standpoint," Trump said during the interview on the plane from Washington. Trump's remarks come days after he threatened a 50% tariff on Indian imports citing New Delhi's trade of oil and military equipment with Moscow. Half of these tariffs have come into effect, and the other half are set to come into force on August 27.
