'Falling fertility rate threatens China-like crisis'

India needs to abandon population control as the nation faces a decline in fertility that mirrors the demographic crisis unfolding across China and other East Asian economies, warns Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.

- Rhik Kundu & Utpal Bhaskar

The decline in fertility is no longer limited to the southern states but has emerged as a nationwide trend, with the country's total fertility rate (TFR) dropping below the replacement level across several regions, Sanyal told Mint in an interview.

India, according to him, is now entering the same demographic transition zone that has challenged countries such as China, Japan and South Korea.

"If it weren't for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, we would be well below the replacement rate. Even now, we are already below replacement levels, and without those states, the situation would be far worse," he said.

"This is a serious national concern that requires urgent attention."

The total fertility rate in India, the world's most populous country, has declined to 1.9 births per woman, falling below the replacement level of 2.1, according to the latest UNFPA's 2025 State of World Population report.