Andhra Pradesh in has proposed a set of financial and social incentives aimed at encouraging families to have more children, as the region faces a continuing decline in birthrates.
The government says the average number of children per woman has fallen from about three in the 1990s to around 1.5 today, well below the replacement level of 2.1. This is also lower than the current national average, estimated at between 1.9 and 2 children per family.
Officials warn that the falling birthrate, combined with a growing elderly population, could place increasing pressure on the working-age population in the years ahead. They also point to rising housing costs, expensive private education, and delayed employment opportunities as key factors behind smaller families.
To address this trend, the state has proposed cash incentives for larger families. These include a payment of 30,000 rupees for a third child and 40,000 rupees for a fourth child, along with a monthly support payment of 1,000 rupees for five years. The plan also includes free education for children up to the age of 18.
Other proposed measures include expanded childcare support, longer maternity leave, and greater opportunities for mothers to work from home under the “Thalliki Vandanam” programme, which already provides financial assistance linked to school attendance.
Alongside efforts to increase birthrates, the government has also set a goal of doubling women’s participation in the workforce. However, experts note that balancing higher employment among women with policies aimed at encouraging larger families may present challenges.
Some observers point to examples in parts of Europe, where countries have combined family support policies with childcare services, flexible work arrangements, and parental leave to help maintain both workforce participation and birthrates.
In India, however, many women still face barriers to employment and often carry a disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities, which could limit the effectiveness of such measures.
Concerns have also been raised that financial incentives may disproportionately influence lower-income families, potentially increasing long-term economic pressures if broader social support systems are not strengthened.
Demographic studies show that declining birthrates are becoming a wider concern across the country, particularly in southern states. There are also discussions at national level about the political and economic impact of population changes, including representation in parliament.
India became the world’s most populous country in 2023 after overtaking China, and is now moving into a later stage of demographic transition, marked by lower fertility rates and an ageing population.
Adapted and rewritten from reporting by Asia News.
