India’s baby bust: World’s most populous country fears demographic decline

India, home to 1.45 billion people, recently overtook China as the world’s most populous country. Yet, behind this demographic milestone lies an unexpected challenge. While national leaders once warned that a large population could hinder development, several southern states are now facing the opposite problem – falling fertility rates. This decline is more than just a demographic issue. A shrinking birth rate could reduce the future workforce, strain healthcare and social services, and weaken political influence, since parliamentary representation and federal funding are tied to population size.