Nidhi Agarwal, a 41-year-old PR company owner in Bengaluru, decided with her husband not to have children after marriage. Nine years later, they still stick by that decision. “Before marriage, we never discussed kids. We spoke about finances and our career goals,” she said.
Government data shows India's total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1. In the 2000s, it was 3.3. Experts cite better access to education and contraceptives, as well as rising child-rearing costs.
Jyotsna Mirlay, a consultant gynecologist in Bengaluru, says educated women are less likely to buy into traditional narratives about marriage and children. “Such narratives made the Indian woman feel she had to sideline her career and have children. Now, that narrative has totally lost credibility,” she said.
Shweta Luthra, a 41-year-old human rights lawyer, married at 23 but delayed having children for her career. She became pregnant unexpectedly while pursuing a PhD in the UK. “I tell my son he was 100 percent an accident,” she said, adding that children should be planned around careers.
Rising living costs are a key factor. India's inflation rose to 3.48% in April. The average annual income is $2,878 (2025), while monthly costs are about $290.40 excluding rent. Many young people prioritize holidays and dining out over having children.
Fertility rates vary widely: Bihar (poorest state) has 2.9, while Delhi (highest education) has 1.2. Infant mortality has fallen from 30 to 24 per 1,000 live births (2019-2024), which experts say reduces the drive to have more children.
The government has introduced incentives like cash rewards for third and fourth children in Andhra Pradesh, and free IVF centers in some states. But Mirlay says the government should ask why people aren't having babies instead of just offering incentives.
Agarwal says society should respect reproductive choices: “Reproduction is and should be a personal choice. It might take time to understand people’s choices but society should accept and respect it.”
Source: www.aljazeera.com