India’s fertility rate falls below replacement level: Why it matters. Dropped to 1.9 children per woman, with consequences for its workforce, elders and economy.

India’s fertility rate has for the first time fallen below the level needed to stop the population from shrinking, raising concerns about future labour shortages and an ageing society. For decades, India has seen rapid population growth. According to government statistics, including the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report — the country’s largest demographic survey — India has had a falling fertility rate for some years, but the reproduction rate remained high enough to keep the population growing. The latest SRS report, released last month by India’s Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, said that India’s Total Fertility...