‘Children are Wealth’: Naidu calls for bigger families

Addressing a public gathering in Konaseema on Wednesday, Naidu said demographic changes were creating new challenges for Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country. He noted that the state’s total fertility rate has fallen to around 1.5, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1.

Naidu acknowledged that he had earlier supported population-control measures when India was experiencing rapid population growth. However, he said the situation had changed and that declining birth rates and an ageing population now required a different approach.

The Chief Minister cautioned that continued population decline could have economic and social consequences, including a shrinking workforce. He also remarked that if families stopped having children, society could eventually become increasingly dependent on machines.

His latest comments are part of a broader population policy being pursued by the Andhra Pradesh government under the ‘Pillale Sampada’ (Children Are Wealth) initiative. The state has shifted its emphasis from population control towards encouraging population growth and supporting families.

As part of this approach, Naidu had earlier announced financial assistance of ₹30,000 for a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child. The government has also indicated that a wider package of measures could be introduced to address demographic concerns.

Naidu has argued that maintaining a healthy working-age population will be important for Andhra Pradesh’s long-term economic growth, particularly as the proportion of elderly people is expected to rise.