Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why a nation of 1.45 billion wants more children
Last year, India became the world's most populous country, and now its population exceeds 1.45 billion. But the nation’s fertility rate has fallen substantially; from 5.7 births per woman in 1950 to the current rate of two. Fertility rates have fallen below the replacement level of two births per woman in 17 of the 29 states and territories. Five southern states have total fertility rates lower than those of many European countries, below 1.6. These states are concerned about a decline in electoral representation in the national parliament and a reduction of federal budget allocation as their populations decrease. But the problem isn’t limited only to the state level. In many developed countries, life expectancies increase and fertility rates decline over time as living and education standards improve and urbanization progress. The challenge for this populous country is the aging speed compared with other developed countries. India is aging fast before its social and economic systems adjust to aging societies. Indeed, in order to make a smooth shift to aging societies, gradual changes are needed in retirement age, social welfare, and care practices and systems, which take years and many elections.
Read the article and learn about the population concerns of the world’s most populous country.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9088men9xo
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