Paper: GS – I/II, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Population and associated issues, Issue: AP Population Policy.
Context:
The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced a draft Population Management Policy in the Legislative Assembly. This policy is a response to the state’s declining fertility rate, which has fallen to 1.5, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1.
- The government, aims to shift the focus from “population control” to “population management” to address not only fertility rates but also the associated issues of aging, women’s health, and economic productivity.
Key Takeaways:
| What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR)? Definition: TFR refers to the average number of children a woman is expected to bear during her reproductive years (usually 15–49 years) under current fertility patterns. A TFR above 2.1 indicates population growth, around 2.1 suggests replacement-level fertility, while below 2.1 signals population decline and aging, leading to long-term socio-economic and workforce challenges for a country. |
Current Demographics of Andhra Pradesh:
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The TFR in Andhra Pradesh has decreased from 2.2 in 2003 to 1.5 in 2023. In comparison, India’s TFR has dropped from 3 to 1.9 during the same period.
- Ageing Population: The median age in Andhra Pradesh is 32.5 years, compared to 28.4 years for India. Nearly 10% of the population is over 60 years, projected to rise to 23% by 2047.
- Workforce Participation: The female workforce participation in Andhra Pradesh stands at 31%, lower than the national average of 37%.
Political Context:
- Economic Impact: Declining fertility rates may result in a smaller workforce and higher fiscal burden on the government.
- Delimitation Concern: Tamil Nadu fears that lower population growth in southern states could reduce their parliamentary representation during the post-2026 Census delimitation exercise.
Andhra Pradesh’s draft Population Management Policy shifts focus from population control to management, aiming to ensure sustainable demographics, better healthcare, and economic productivity, with success depending on effective implementation and public support.
Source: (The Indian Express)
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