A sharp decline in fertility rates in Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a critical workforce challenge, with long-term implications for economic growth and demographic balance. The state’s fertility rate has dropped to 1.50, significantly below the replacement level of 2.10 needed to maintain population stability.
Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav has flagged the risks of this trend, warning that a continued decline could shrink the active workforce while rapidly increasing the elderly population. This shift could lead to a scenario where fewer working-age individuals are required to support a growing number of dependents, putting pressure on productivity and public resources.
Data indicates that population growth in the state has slowed dramatically, falling from over 7 per cent in the early 2010s to under 2 per cent currently, with projections suggesting it could near stagnation in the coming decade. At the same time, the demographic profile is ageing faster than the national average, with the median age already higher than that of India.
The impact on the future workforce is significant. The proportion of young people is expected to decline steadily, while the share of those aged 60 and above is projected to nearly double in the next two decades. This could weaken the state’s demographic dividend and reduce the availability of labour across sectors.
In response, the government is shifting its approach from population control to population care. The new framework aims to create conditions that encourage voluntary and informed family decisions, while reducing the perceived burden of raising children. The strategy is designed to stabilise population trends and sustain a productive workforce in the years ahead.
