Hyderabad: The growing elderly population in India, particularly in the southern states, has sparked discussions about the need for more children. In Telangana, the elderly population, which was 9.27% (around 32.69 lakhs) according to the 2011 census, has now increased to 11%. This number is expected to double by 2050.
The debate gained momentum after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu suggested reconsidering the two-child policy. He emphasized the importance of thinking about the demographic future beyond 2047, urging people to consider having more children. Naidu even promised to introduce a law allowing those with more than two children to contest in local elections. While northern states have a total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.4, southern states, including Telangana, have a much lower TFR of 1.73.
Currently, Telangana has more than 32 lakh people above the age of 70, based on the 2011 census. Projections show that this number has grown to over 38 lakh today, and it could double by 2050 if the trend continues.
During a news summit, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed concerns about the growing elderly population. He pointed out that the average lifespan in India was just 32 years after Independence. With healthcare improvements, it rose to 56 years, and today it stands at 80 years. He predicted that in another 10-15 years, lifespans could reach 100 years. If the younger generation continues to shrink, India might face challenges similar to Japan, where robots were developed due to a lack of younger workers.
Reddy also pointed out that in the past, India needed to control its population due to food shortages. However, today the country has a surplus in food, power, and other resources, and policies should be adjusted accordingly. Another concern for southern politicians is the issue of delimitation, which could favor northern states if population size becomes the basis for increasing parliamentary seats. This could leave southern states at a disadvantage.
