India’s latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report shows the country’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.9 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. Two decades ago, the rate stood at 3.3. Experts attribute the decline to higher education levels, career focus, rising living costs, and growing emphasis on personal freedom. Many couples now choose to delay or forgo parenthood altogether.

Specialists note that educated and financially independent women are increasingly prioritizing careers and self-development over traditional expectations of marriage and motherhood. The availability of fertility options such as egg freezing, now offered by over 2,000 centers, allows women to delay childbirth. Meanwhile, India’s infant mortality rate has dropped from 30 per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 24 in 2024, further influencing smaller family sizes.

Regional disparities remain: Bihar and Uttar Pradesh record higher fertility rates of 2.9 and 2.6, while Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala report rates near 1.2–1.3. Some states, including Andhra Pradesh, have introduced cash incentives for additional births, but experts argue that addressing underlying social and economic factors will be more effective than urging larger families.