🔆 Do you agree that falling fertility rates provide India with a brief demographic window to achieve its socio-economic goals? What policy measures should be prioritized to harness the demographic dividend in the coming years? 📍 Introduction ✅ Thesis Statement: Agree that falling fertility rates provide India with a brief demographic window to achieve socio-economic goals. ✅ Context: Mention the significance of the demographic transition in India. 📍 Current Demographic Trends ✅ Fertility Rate: India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined from 2.2 in 2015-16 to 2.0 in 2019-21 (Source: National Family Health Survey-5). ✅ Median Age: Rising median age from 24 years in 2011 to 29 years currently, projected to reach 36 years by 2036. ✅ Dependency Ratio: Expected decrease in the dependency ratio from 65% to 54% in the next decade. 📍 Potential Benefits of the Demographic Window ✅ Human Capital Formation: ◦ Fewer dependents allow for increased investment in health, education, and skills. ◦ Helps in reducing income inequality and improving job opportunities. ✅ Higher Per Capita Income: ◦ Low fertility supports higher income per capita and capital stock per worker. ◦ Contributes to achieving zero hunger and poverty. ✅ Labor Force Participation: ◦ Shift towards a working-age population increases labor supply. ◦ Lower fertility rates encourage female participation in the labor market. 📍 Challenges Ahead ✅ Unemployment Risks: Without proper policies, rising unemployment could lead to economic and social risks. ✅ Aging Population: The share of older populations will eventually rise, leading to a decrease in the working-age population. 📍 Policy Measures to Harness the Demographic Dividend 1️⃣ Improve Consumption Patterns ◦ Invest in early childhood nutrition and education to build a strong foundation for human capital. 2️⃣ Increase Investment in Education and Healthcare ◦ Raise public spending on health from around 1% of GDP, focusing on states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 3️⃣ Resource Allocation Based on Population Census ◦ Devolve more funds to states with higher working populations to nurture human capital. 4️⃣ Transition in Skilling ◦ Enhance focus on universal skilling and entrepreneurship to prepare the workforce for emerging technologies. 5️⃣ Increase Women’s Workforce Participation ◦ Implement tax incentives and gender budgeting to boost the current female labor participation rate, which dropped from 34.1% in 2003-04 to 20.3% in 2019. 6️⃣ Create Employment Opportunities ◦ Provide incentives for start-ups and large industries through initiatives like Make in India and Start-Up India. 📍 Conclusion ✅ Summarize Key Points: Reiterate the importance of leveraging the demographic window. ✅ Call to Action: Emphasize the need for comprehensive policy measures to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth.