Society
India's Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level as Young Couples Prioritize Careers and Rising Costs
India's total fertility rate has dropped to 1.9 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1, as young couples increasingly prioritize careers, face higher living costs, and benefit from better education and contraception access. Experts cite universal education, rising expenses, and shifting social norms as key reasons for the decline. The trend varies sharply by state, with Bihar at 2.9 and New Delhi at 1.2.