Experts Address Dipping Fertility Rates in India

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) – Health experts have expressed concern over the declining fertility rates in India, emphasizing the need to address factors like urbanization, education, and women’s empowerment. A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that India’s total fertility rate has significantly decreased from 6.18 in 1950 to 1.91 in 2021, with projections suggesting it may drop to 1.3 by 2050 and 1.04 by 2100.

Dr. Rachita Munjal, Senior Consultant at Birla Fertility & IVF, Gurugram, highlighted various factors influencing fertility rates, such as education, religious beliefs, contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), delay in marriage and childbirth, and changing social norms. She also pointed out that rising levels of obesity, stress, smoking, pollution, and unhealthy lifestyles can contribute to infertility issues.

Infertility can impact the total fertility rate by delaying childbearing age and reducing conception probability. Dr. Munjal noted that the psychological impact of infertility and societal stigma surrounding fertility treatments can also deter couples from seeking medical assistance, ultimately limiting access to treatment and contributing to a lower total fertility rate.

Dr. Nisha Bhatnagar, Medical Director at Infinite Fertility, emphasized the potential implications of declining fertility levels on public health policy and society. While reproductive technologies like egg freezing can offer personalized solutions to infertility, they are not a cure-all for overall population trends. Dr. Bhatnagar stressed the importance of comprehensive public health policies that consider socioeconomic factors like urbanization, education, and women’s empowerment.

According to experts, increasing awareness about informed family planning, implementing supportive maternity and paternity policies such as paid leave and childcare support, and offering financial incentives like childcare benefits are crucial measures to improve fertility rates in the country. The experts highlighted the need for a holistic approach to address the complex interplay of factors affecting fertility rates in India.