India's fertility rate falls below replacement; PM panel urges policy shift

With India's demographic transition advancing faster than anticipated, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has called for a comprehensive review of family planning policies across states where fertility rates have already dipped below replacement levels.

The council's recommendation marks a significant shift in approach to population management in a country that for decades pursued active fertility reduction strategies. Officials noted that incentive schemes linked to sterilisation procedures, which were designed to encourage smaller families, may no longer be appropriate in regions where the fertility rate has stabilised or declined.

The total fertility rate, which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime, now stands at 1.9 nationally. This represents a substantial decline from earlier decades and places India among countries experiencing slower population growth. Demographers have highlighted regional disparities, with several states already recording fertility rates well below the national average.

The advisory council's position reflects a broader global recognition that as fertility rates decline naturally with improved education, healthcare access, and economic development, the focus of population policy should shift from reduction targets toward addressing the needs of ageing populations and ensuring adequate workforce participation.

State governments are expected to review their existing population-related policies and incentive structures in light of the council's guidance, particularly those states classified as having achieved low-fertility status.