Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu Proposes Law to Encourage Larger Families, Warns of Ageing Population Crisis

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced plans on Sunday to introduce legislation that would require individuals with two or more children to be eligible to contest local body elections. This proposal is part of a broader effort to address concerns about the state’s ageing population and its potential impact on the country’s demographic balance.

Speaking after restarting construction work in Amaravati, Naidu highlighted the need for families to consider having more children to counteract the declining fertility rates and ensure a younger, more vibrant population in the future. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh's fertility rate has fallen to 1.6, significantly below the national average of 2.1, raising concerns about the state's long-term demographic sustainability.

"The government is planning to bring in legislation to make only those with more than two children eligible to contest local body elections," Naidu said, emphasizing the need to encourage population growth.

Naidu also warned of the growing signs of an ageing crisis in South India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, noting that while India retains a demographic advantage until 2047, the southern regions are already feeling the effects of a shrinking younger population. He pointed to the experiences of countries like Japan, China, and parts of Europe, where ageing populations have strained economies and social structures.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about youth migration, with many young people moving to urban areas or abroad in search of better opportunities, leaving rural villages with predominantly elderly residents. "In numerous villages across Andhra Pradesh and the country, the younger generation has relocated to cities, leaving only elderly people behind," Naidu observed.

He cautioned that if the trend of declining birth rates and youth migration continues, Andhra Pradesh could face a severe ageing issue by 2047. "This is not a desirable future, and we must act now," Naidu urged, calling for proactive measures to ensure the state maintains a sustainable demographic structure in the coming decades.