Rising Fertility Crisis: UN Report Highlights Barriers in India
Overview of the Fertility Crisis
New Delhi, June 10: A recent report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reveals that job insecurity, inadequate childcare options, and health issues are significant factors contributing to the ongoing fertility crisis.
Key Findings of the Report
The State of World Population (SOWP) report indicates that many individuals are unable to achieve their desired fertility outcomes, which encompass the freedom to make informed choices regarding sexual health, contraception, and family planning. The report advocates for a shift in focus from anxiety over declining birth rates to addressing unmet reproductive needs.
Based on a UNFPA-YouGov survey conducted in 14 countries, including India, with 14,000 participants, the report highlights various obstacles to reproductive autonomy in India.
Barriers to Reproductive Freedom
Financial constraints emerged as a primary barrier, affecting 40% of respondents. Other significant challenges included job insecurity (21%), housing issues (22%), and the absence of dependable childcare (18%), which collectively make the prospect of parenthood daunting.
Health-related obstacles, such as poor overall health (15%), infertility (13%), and limited access to pregnancy care (14%), further complicate the situation. Additionally, factors like climate change and socio-political instability contribute to heightened anxiety about the future, discouraging family planning. Approximately 19% of individuals reported pressure from partners or family to limit the number of children they desire.
Progress and Inequalities
According to Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative, India has made notable strides in reducing fertility rates—from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to about two today—thanks to advancements in education and reproductive healthcare access.
This progress has significantly decreased maternal mortality rates, resulting in millions more mothers being alive today to nurture their children and contribute to their communities. However, Wojnar noted that stark inequalities persist across various states, castes, and income levels.
State-wise Fertility Disparities
The report highlights that states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh continue to report high fertility rates, while regions such as Delhi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu maintain rates below the replacement level. This disparity reflects variations in economic opportunities, healthcare access, educational attainment, and prevailing gender and social norms.
The Path Forward
Wojnar emphasized that the true demographic advantage arises when individuals possess the freedom and resources to make informed reproductive choices. India stands at a pivotal moment to demonstrate how reproductive rights can align with economic growth.
The report stresses that the real issue is not population size but the widespread challenges that hinder individuals' rights to make autonomous decisions regarding family size and timing. It calls for the expansion of sexual and reproductive health services, ensuring universal access to contraception, safe abortion, maternal health, and infertility care. Additionally, it advocates for the removal of structural barriers through investments in childcare, education, housing, and workplace flexibility, alongside the promotion of inclusive policies.