Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that his government would allow only people with more than two children to contest local body elections. Speaking at a recent event in Naravaripalle, Naidu explained that this policy would help address the state’s declining population growth. He stressed that policies would be introduced to encourage families to have more children, noting the importance of reversing the trend of low birthrates.
Naidu explained, "At one time, individuals with many children were not allowed to contest the panchayat (election) or local bodies. Now what I am saying is that individuals with lower numbers of children cannot contest. You will be a sarpanch, municipal councillor, corporation chairman, or a mayor only if you have more than two children."
The Chief Minister also expressed concerns about the long-term impact of low birthrates, especially in northern India. He predicted that the region may lose its demographic advantage of a stable fertility rate in about 15 years. According to Naidu, older generations typically had more children, but the current trend has seen families having fewer children, with some even opting for a "double income, no kids" lifestyle.
Naidu cautioned that many countries, including South Korea, Japan, and various European nations, failed to recognize the dangers of a shrinking population, focusing instead on wealth creation and economic growth. He warned that these nations now face a significant issue due to the lack of a growing population to support their aging demographic.
Naidu has previously highlighted the declining birthrates in India, suggesting that the country should avoid the mistakes made by other nations that failed to address population issues until it was too late. In early January, Naidu raised concerns about the falling birthrates in India, noting that many couples are reluctant to have children because they prioritize enjoying their wealth and lifestyle.
Naidu also reiterated his belief that population management is crucial for Andhra Pradesh's future. Last October, he pointed out that India could enjoy a demographic dividend with more young people until 2047, after which the aging population would become a challenge. He said that if women have fewer than two children on average, the population would decline, but if each woman has more than two children, the population would grow.
