Addressing Aging Population in India: Pro-natalist Policies

• Chief Ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu and M.K. Stalin discuss the aging population in India.
• The growth trajectory is influenced by population momentum, which occurs after a period of high fertility.
• The replacement level of fertility rate indicates that every mother is being replaced by another mother, but this does not necessarily mean a negative growth rate.
• The birth rate and death rate transition determine the growth rate, with a north-south divide in growth rate between 2060 and 2070.
• The issue of sustaining the population and federal representation needs to be considered.
• The pace of ageing is measured in terms of the proportion of population that has aged.
• India’s Total Fertility Rate dropped to 1.9 in 2021, implying population stabilization, but there are regional variations.
• Ageing is a natural progression, but development approaches and policies significantly impact its handling.
• Health factors such as noncommunicable diseases, heart issues, and cancers are critical as a population grows older.
• Shift towards IT-linked economies has made physical strength and musculature less critical, opening up opportunities for older population work.
• Migration, gender inequality, and care services are critical regardless of age.
• Policies limiting electoral participation based on the number of children are seen as absurd.
• Countries like Hungary, Poland, Greece, Finland, and Sweden have moved towards pro-natalist policies since 2015.
• Addressing the needs of an older population through healthcare and technology can create job opportunities.