What is meant by pro-natalist policies?
Pro-natalist policies are government actions or incentives designed to encourage higher birth rates.
These policies may include financial incentives, extended parental leave, childcare support, and tax breaks for families with children.
The goal is to combat population decline and address challenges posed by ageing populations.
What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.
A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement rate, meaning the population will stabilize without growing or shrinking.
India's TFR dropped to 1.9 in 2021, indicating a trend toward population stabilization.
Are pro-natalist policies the way to address the ageing population problem?
Pro-natalist policies, like incentives for more children, may not be enough to tackle the complexities of an ageing population.
Factors like cost of living, housing affordability, and gender roles (with women often bearing the burden of child-rearing) affect whether young couples choose to have children.
Policies that force or overly incentivize people to have children can lead to unintended consequences, as seen in previous forced sterilizations or manipulations of family size to meet eligibility criteria.
Addressing the issue requires broader solutions:
Focus on healthcare for the elderly, job opportunities for older workers, and care services.
Gender equality and addressing the economic cost of raising children are also crucial.
A smaller population and replacement fertility may be beneficial from an environmental standpoint, helping balance resources with the needs of the planet
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