It's Just You And Me

Rising healthcare and education costs, ideological choices, and the need for freedom and flexibility are leading several couples to not have children. There's no right or wrong there, but the ones who are confused about it need to think carefully

- Ayush Khar

For decades, the picture of the middle-class Indian dream of a perfect life didn't change: owning a home and a car and having a happy married life with children.

Hum Do Hamare Do! While millions still aspire for it, the definition of that perfect picture is changing for a growing number of people. The car, the house and the happy marriage are still there, but the children are increasingly being pushed out. India is steadily witnessing the rise of couples who are labelled double-income-no-kids (DINKS).

Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4 2015-2016) showed that approximately 7 per cent of married women between the ages of 40 and 49 were childless. More recent data from the NFHS-5 (2019-2021) shows that there was a significant increase in childlessness as nearly 12 per cent of married women between the ages of 40 and 49 were found to be childless. According to Gitnux Market Data Report 2024, the population of DINKS in India has been growing by 30 per cent per annum. Mind it, this may not only be a fertility issue; there are other factors playing a big role in these decisions.

The Rise Of DINKS

The term DINKS is not new. Its origin dates back to 1980s America. Couples then decided to opt out of having children, citing a range of reasons, such as greater flexibility and shifting cultural priorities. Notably, this trend came amid a rise in yuppie culture (young upwardly-mobile professionals) wherein a shift was seen towards prioritising wealth, and luxurious lifestyles.

Cut to 2025 and the reasons seem different. According to the UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of World Population report, economic barriers were the top factors for not having children. According to the report, 39 per cent of respondents cited financial limitations as the main reason for having fewer children than they would like.