- Tamil Nadu’s live birth count dropped by 6.6% in 2024, falling below 9 lakh for the first time in at least five years.
- 2024 births: 8,42,412 vs. 2023 births: 9,02,306.
- The birth rate declined from 11.7 (2023) to 10.9 (2024).
- The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is 1.4, much below the replacement level of 2.1.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Governance)
Reasons for Declining Birth Rate
- Development indicators (e.g., education, healthcare, economic growth).
- Economic and social factors discouraging larger families.
- Successful government interventions in population control over the past decades.
Major Concerns
- Aging Population & Dependency Ratio:
- Increasing elderly population requiring greater healthcare and social support.
- Shrinking workforce, affecting economic growth and productivity.
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR):
- MMR decline may slow down due to a lower number of births.
Expert Views
- Dr. T.S. Selvavinayagam (Director, Public Health & Preventive Medicine):
- Tamil Nadu is experiencing a trend similar to developed nations with falling birth rates.
- Policy focus should shift towards higher-order births and addressing infertility issues.
- Dr. Jacob John (CMC, Vellore):
- Tamil Nadu and Kerala have overshot their demographic transition, leading to below-replacement fertility.
- The decline is not due to health issues but rather economic and social factors.
Way Forward
- Policy recalibration to encourage population stabilization at the replacement level.
- Support mechanisms for the aging population, including healthcare, pensions, and social security.
- Address economic disincentives to childbirth, such as high living costs and career constraints for parents.
- Encouraging balanced demographic transition while ensuring sustainable economic and social development.
