The untold aspects of India’s fertility decline

• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) fell to 1.9 in 2025, below the replacement level of 2.1 since 2020.

• Indicates potential future population decline without migration.

• Higher education levels

• Urbanization

• Delayed marriages

• Better access to contraception

• Changing economic and social aspirations

• 40% cite financial constraints as a key reason.

• Other factors include:

• Housing issues (22%)

• Job insecurity (21%)

• Partner disagreement on number of children (19%)

• Climate anxiety, healthcare gaps, and partner inequality in caregiving

• Over 30% faced unintended pregnancies.

• A similar share wanted children but couldn’t conceive.

• 1 in 4 experienced both situations, highlighting widespread reproductive mismatches.

• Around 61% of both men and women reported facing reproductive coercion.

• More men (30%) than women (26%) reported pressure to have children.

• One-third of both genders said they felt unable to refuse sexual intercourse—a serious concern.

• Drop in births among 15–19-year-old women due to delayed childbearing and improved education.

• This has contributed to a rapid fertility decline, especially among adolescents and young women (15–24 years).

• India’s fertility trend reflects diverse, complex stories, not just numbers.

• The focus should be on creating an enabling environment for all to exercise reproductive rights freely and safely.