India's declining fertility rate puts policymakers in New Delhi on alert

As India grapples with a decline in fertility rates policymakers in New Delhi face mounting pressure to avert the looming demographic challenges reminiscent of ageing Asian economies such as China and JapanAccording to Nikkei Asia a recent report published in The Lancet journal underscores the urgency for India to take proactive measures as it races against time to mitigate the adverse effects of its dwindling fertility ratesAccording to the Lancet report Indias total fertility rate has witnessed a sharp decline over the decades plummeting from nearly 62 in 1950 to just under 2 in 2021Projections indicate a further decrease to 129 by 2050 and a concerning 104 by 2100 This trend aligns with a broader global downtrend in fertility rates with the global average declining from 45 in 1950 to 22 in 2021The global figure is anticipated to slide further to 18 in 2050 and 16 in 2100Dr Prakhar Singh Consultant Critical Care and Diabetolgy OSVI Healthcare said The global fertility rate has been progressively declining and in the last 70 years has come down by almost 50 per cent The situation in India is no differentExperts warn that the rapid decline in fertility rates coupled with an increase in life expectancy poses multifaceted challenges for policymakers in New DelhiThese challenges include ensuring adequate social security and healthcare provisions for the growing elderly population and creating employment opportunities to harness their skills effectivelyDr Singh said Lower fertility rates coupled with increased life expectancies around the world are creating an ageing population Since 1950 the global median age has grown from 25 years to 33 years An older population comes with several economic risks including rising healthcare costs and a smaller global workforce this ultimately leads to a economic slowdownSocial imbalances including wealth disparities and gender biases favoring male children over girls could exacerbate these challenges creating stark imbalances among different sections of the populationDespite the declining fertility rates the United Nations projects Indias population to surpass 16 billion by 2050 While a large population presents its own set of challenges policymakers have long emphasized the potential economic benefits of Indias youthful demographic profile often referred to as a demographic dividendHowever there is a pressing need to maximize this advantage before India risks falling into the middleincome trap wherein oncevibrant economies stagnate before reaching highincome statusVarious factors contribute to the decline in fertility rates in India including obesity stress smoking and environmental pollutionResearch indicates that the general fertility rate in India has dropped by 20 per cent over the past decade affecting approximately 30 million peopleDr Zahoorullah S Chief Innovation Officer AIC ALEAP WEHUB said Among the 3782 identified cases of infertility in women 1242 107 per cent reside in urban areas where lifestyles characterized by high stress levels and dietary patterns are prevalent Various field studies have indicated that women engaged in sedentary employment are 20 per cent more likely to experience infertility issuesThe surge in demand for In Vitro Fertilization IVF treatments underscores the growing prevalence of infertility issues with the IVF market projected to reach USD 37 billion by 2030 compared to USD 793 million in 2020Looking ahead India is likely to witness a dramatic increase in the population of senior citizens presenting additional challenges for policymakers in New DelhiUnless promptly addressed the demographic shift will strain social security programs and the countrys healthcare infrastructurePolicymakers must navigate these challenges strategically to ensure sustainable socioeconomic development and wellbeing for all segments of societyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever