India is experiencing a significant decline in its fertility rate, with the country's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) now at 1.9 children per woman, according to the latest report from the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (SRS). This figure is below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. In the 2000s, India's TFR was around 3.3.
Many young people in this once rapidly growing nation are choosing to have fewer children or none at all. Nidhi Agarwal, 41, owner of a public relations firm in Bengaluru, said she and her husband decided not to have children after nine years of marriage. “We wanted to focus on our careers and build a company that has a greater impact on society, rather than raising children,” she said.
Experts point to universal education, access to contraception, and rising child-rearing costs as key drivers. Dr. Jyotsna Mirlay, a gynecologist in Bengaluru, noted: “The traditional narratives that women only find fulfillment through marriage and childbearing have lost their appeal among the 30-40 age group, who are more educated and financially independent.”
Rising living costs are a major factor. India's consumer inflation in April 2026 stood at 3.48% — the highest in six months. Average income in 2025, according to the IMF, is $2,878, while monthly living expenses are estimated at over 27,000 rupees (about $290), excluding rent. Roopa, 36, a team leader at an electronics company, said: “Most of us want to give our children a good quality of life, including education and opportunities. With costs rising, many need to consider financial stability before expanding their families.”
State-level differences are stark. Bihar has the highest TFR at 2.9, while the capital New Delhi records the lowest at 1.2. The infant mortality rate has dropped from 30 per 1,000 live births (2019) to 24 per 1,000 (2024), reducing the need for parents to have more children. According to the SRS, this decline is partly due to government improvements in health services, vaccinations, and safe institutional care.
Some states, such as Andhra Pradesh, have introduced pro-natalist incentives, offering 30,000 rupees for a third child and 40,000 rupees for a fourth. Goa, Karnataka, and Telangana have state-funded IVF support centers, but their effectiveness remains limited. Dr. Mirlay believes the government should focus on why couples in their 30s and 40s struggle to conceive, rather than simply urging them to have more children.
Shweta Luthra, a human rights lawyer in Bengaluru who had her child at age 23, said societal and family pressure remains strong. “When I tell people my husband and I don’t have children, I still get strange looks. People often ask if one of us has a medical problem,” said Nidhi Agarwal. “But reproduction is a personal choice, and society needs to respect that.”
