Tamil Nadu’s total fertility rate has been reported at 1.3, well below the replacement level of 2.1.
Health Minister KG Arunraj said the government may consider policies encouraging larger families.
He also said a policy addressing the needs of perimenopausal women would be announced during the budget session.
A sustained fertility rate below replacement level has long-term implications for population ageing, workforce composition and demand for health and social-care systems.
The issue is therefore likely to move beyond health policy into wider debates on demography, labour and welfare.
