The Real Fertility Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for India and the World

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released its 2025 State of World Population (SOWP) report, titled "The Real Fertility Crisis." This report is a wake-up call for India and the world to recognize the gap between reproductive aspirations and realities. The findings are startling, and it’s time to rethink our approach to fertility and family planning.

The Gap Between Reproductive Aspirations and Realities

According to the report, many people are unable to have the number of children they want, citing various barriers such as lack of access to contraception, sex education, and support to start families when they choose. This is the real problem, not overpopulation or underpopulation. The solution lies in giving people more control over reproductive decisions, including access to contraception, sex education, and support to start families when they choose.

India’s Replacement-Level Fertility: A Mixed Bag

India has reached replacement-level fertility at about 2.0 births per woman. However, many people still face barriers in making free choices about their reproductive lives. There are significant differences across regions, with states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh having high fertility rates, while states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi have fertility rates below replacement level. These gaps reflect differences in healthcare, education, income, and social norms.

Key Findings from the India Survey

The report includes findings from a UNFPA-YouGov survey across 14 countries, including India. Some of the key findings include:

• Unintended Pregnancies: One in three adult Indians (36%) face unintended pregnancies.
• Unmet Reproductive Goals: 30% said they could not have the number of children they wanted—either more or fewer. 23% faced both issues.
• Financial Barriers: 4 in 10 cited financial issues as a major reason they couldn’t start or grow their families.
• Job Insecurity: 21% pointed to job insecurity as a major reason.
• Lack of Housing: 22% cited lack of housing as a major reason.
• Unreliable Childcare: 18% pointed to unreliable childcare as a major reason.
• Health Concerns: 15% cited poor wellbeing, 13% cited infertility, and 14% cited limited access to pregnancy care as major reasons.
• Fears About the Future: Many said fears about the future—from climate change to political instability—also affected their choices.
• Pressure from Partners or Families: 19% reported pressure from partners or families to have fewer children than they personally wanted.

Social and Emotional Factors Affecting Fertility Decisions

Beyond practical barriers, social and emotional factors are also affecting fertility decisions. Loneliness, changing relationships, stigma, and unequal caregiving expectations—especially for women—are leading many to delay or avoid parenthood.

Five Steps for India to Address the Fertility Crisis

The report outlines five steps for India to address the fertility crisis:

1. Expand Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Including contraception, safe abortion, maternal care, and infertility treatment.
2. Remove Practical Barriers: Investing in childcare, education, housing, and flexible workplaces.
3. Make Policies More Inclusive: Especially for unmarried individuals, LGBTQIA+ people, and other marginalized groups.
4. Improve Data and Tracking: Of issues like unmet family planning needs and bodily autonomy.
5. Promote Social Change: Through education and community action to reduce stigma and raise awareness.

Conclusion

The 2025 State of World Population report is a wake-up call for India and the world to recognize the gap between reproductive aspirations and realities. It’s time to rethink our approach to fertility and family planning and work towards giving people more control over reproductive decisions. By addressing the barriers and factors affecting fertility decisions, we can create a world where everyone has the right and means to decide if, when, and how many children to have.

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Content originally published by health.economictimes.indiatimes.com