Population is our greatest asset, not burden: Andhra CM Naidu

Naidu announced that a robust policy on population growth will be introduced in the state soon.

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that population is the nation's strongest economic asset and announced that a robust policy on population growth will be introduced soon in the state.

Recalling the words of Gurajada Apparao, “A nation is made of its people, not just its soil,” he urged everyone to move forward with this spirit.

Speaking at the first Amaravati Summit on World Population Day held at the State Secretariat on Friday he launched a survey designed around the concept, ‘Population management starts with every family. Your opinion is our policy guide.’

Naidu said that while in the past the state government had launched a movement for population control in united Andhra Pradesh, now the need of the hour is population management. He emphasized that India’s ability to compete with developed nations is because of its population.

“Once, population was seen as a major problem. Before 2004, as CM, I incentivized family planning. We even brought a law disqualifying those with more than two children from contesting local body elections. But today, there’s a need to amend the law to allow those with more than two children to contest. A nation is not just about its land, regions, towns, or borders, it is about its people,” he said.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated that population is the nation's strongest economic asset. He announced that a robust policy on population growth will be introduced soon. Recalling the words of Gurajada Apparao, “A nation is made of its people, not just its soil,” he urged everyone to move forward with this spirit. The Chief Minister was the chief guest at the first Amaravati Summit on World Population Day held at the State Secretariat. On this occasion, he launched a survey designed around the concept, ‘Population management starts with every family. Your opinion is our policy guide.’ He later addressed the gathering.

CM Chandrababu Naidu recalled that the UN declared July 11 as World Population Day after the global population reached 5 billion in 1989. “Today, 1.8 billion people globally are aged between 10 and 24. Earlier, countries with large populations were looked down upon. Now, even developed nations are compelled to look to populous countries. Population is not a burden, it’s our greatest asset. From a time when people questioned whether development was possible in such a populous country, we have turned that population into our advantage. With a population of 1.4 billion, India has even surpassed China,” he said.

He expressed concern that while global population is increasing, birth rates are declining, and the youth population is shrinking while the elderly population is increasing. “Wherever aging becomes an issue, growth stagnates. Even in developed countries, fertility rates are falling. The U.S. has 1.62, UK 1.54, Hungary 1.50, France 1.49, Russia 1.47, Germany 1.46, Canada 1.33, Japan 1.23, China 1.02, and Singapore 0.96. In rich nations, low birth rates are becoming the norm. When the rate falls below 2.1, the population starts declining. In India, Bihar is at 3.0, Meghalaya 2.9, UP 2.4, Jharkhand 2.3, Manipur 2.2, Tamil Nadu 1.8, Telangana 1.8, Kerala 1.8, Karnataka 1.7, and Andhra Pradesh 1.7. To maintain population equilibrium, a 2.1 rate is essential,” the chief minister explained.

The Chief Minister highlighted how some countries are offering incentives to encourage childbirth. He read out examples from various nations. “In Japan, child care services are provided until the child starts school, and financial or free educational assistance is offered. Families with more children receive housing support and low-rent homes. South Korea provides monthly cash benefits, support for weddings, childbirth, and IVF. In Singapore, under the Baby Bonus Scheme, cash is given for every newborn, and the government matches savings in children’s accounts. In Russia, mothers of second children receive free healthcare under maternity benefits. Hungary exempts mothers with four or more children from income tax for life. In China, families with more than two children receive financial assistance of up to ₹12 lakh,” he said, listing several other international incentives.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern that declining population growth would hamper economic growth. He revealed that a poll conducted at the summit showed 67.41% preferred two children, 12.34% preferred only one, and 19.88% preferred three children. He said young people today are unwilling to have children, and many couples are opting not to have any. “The rising cost of living is discouraging people from having children,” he observed.

He noted that joint families were once common but are now disappearing. “Earlier, we provided 5 kg rice per person in a household. A family of five received 25 kg. We didn’t give rice beyond that. But now, we’re thinking of giving more than 50 kg if there are ten members in a family. There’s growing concern about the declining population in South India. While Parliament seats may increase in the future, southern states could see reduced representation,” he said.