Madhya Pradesh's Fertility Rate Halved in 35 Years; Population Growth to Slow Down
Madhya Pradesh has reached a demographic turning point where its population growth is set to slow down. The state’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has now dropped to 2.0, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This means women in the state are giving birth to fewer children than needed to maintain the population level across generations.
In 1990, the average fertility rate was 4.0 children per woman. In the past 35 years, this has reduced by half. The trend clearly shows that families are getting smaller and population growth is slowing down. Currently, Madhya Pradesh has a high proportion of working-age youth, but the demographic dividend won’t last forever.
Positive Trend Towards Stability, But Long-Term Challenges Ahead
- Aging Population: The number of elderly citizens will rise. Policies must prepare for healthcare, caregiving, and social security needs.
- Limited Demographic Dividend: The benefit from a younger population is temporary. Planning must begin now for when this advantage fades.
Policy Focus
According to Alok Bajpai, Knowledge Head at Population Foundation of India, two key areas need attention:
- Investing in Youth: Provide quality education, employment opportunities, and healthcare to empower young people for economic contribution.
- Preparing for the Elderly: As birth rates fall, the elderly population grows. The state must build systems for senior care and support.
The key question is not how big our population is, but how we guide and manage this population for sustainable development.