Some years back Australia announced for every child born in the country, the mother will get 3,000 dollars. Later it increased the amount to 4,000 dollars.
From 1979 onwards China followed one-child policy. There were many forcible abortions. In 2016 China switched to two-children policy. Now it wants every couple to have three children.
In many countries all over the world total fertility rate is below 2.1 which is the replacement level. Taiwan’s total fertility rate is said to be lowest at 1.07. Japan, S. Korea, Singapore, Brazil, USA and most European countries are below replacement level. Bangladesh’s total fertility rate is said to be below 2.
Many countries want to have more babies. Some give incentives for couples to have children.
In India some people talk of need for population control. They want limit of two children per couple. They should know India’s total fertility rate is now 2.1. In most states it is equal or below that. In Bihar it is above 2.1, around 3, but is expected to come down in some years. If the trend continues, the proportion of old people to working age people will increase.
With decline in population comes decline in economy. Japan was once No. 1 in economy. Now it is No. 3.
When births decline, jobs decline. Lack of children in schools will result in teachers losing jobs. Demand for food, clothing and shelter and other necessities, comforts and luxuries will decline. Unemployment will grow.
Population can decline due to epidemic or pandemic.
Female foeticide has been high in India and China. India is short of 37 million marriageable women. China is short of 34 million marriageable women. Law banning sex determination tests has not been effective in India.
Laws that discriminate against couples or individuals with more than two children should go. Abortion should be illegal except in cases of rape and saving mother’s life. Government should stop financing and supporting contraception including vasectomy and tubectomy.