Published Jun 01, 2026 | 5:35 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 01, 2026 | 6:14 PM
VCK MP D Ravikumar.
Synopsis: VCK MP D Ravikumar has urged the Tamil Nadu government to take steps to address the State’s declining fertility rate, citing NFHS-6 data showing that it has fallen to 1.7, well below the replacement level of 2.1. He warned that the trend could not only have serious demographic and economic consequences for the State, but also cost it political representation in the Union under the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MP Dr D Ravikumar has urged the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate measures to address the State’s declining Total Fertility Rate (TFR), warning that the trend could have serious demographic, political and economic consequences in the future.
In a letter to Health Minister Dr KG Arunraj on 1 June, Ravikumar cited findings from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) 2023–24 and called for policy interventions, including incentives for families opting for a third child.
According to the report, Tamil Nadu’s TFR stands at 1.7, significantly below both the national average of 2.0 and the replacement level of 2.1.
Describing the decline as “dangerous,” Ravikumar warned that it could lead to a steep fall in the State’s population over the coming decades.
“A Total Fertility Rate of around 2.1 children per woman is considered necessary to maintain population balance. Tamil Nadu’s rate has fallen well below that level,” the letter said.
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The issue has gained prominence amid the political debate over the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
Political parties across southern India have repeatedly argued that states which successfully implemented family planning measures and reduced population growth should not be disadvantaged if future Lok Sabha seat allocations are based primarily on population figures.
Ravikumar contended that states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which continue to record fertility rates of 2.2 and 2.7 respectively, could gain greater political representation and financial benefits in the future.
“Not only now, but even in the future, those states may receive a larger share of Union government funds. They could also gain additional parliamentary constituencies during delimitation,” he wrote.
Ravikumar’s call follows a similar initiative in Andhra Pradesh, where the N Chandrababu Naidu government in May announced financial incentives for families with more than two children as part of the State’s population policy.
Under the scheme, families will receive ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child.
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Ravikumar argued that Tamil Nadu’s falling fertility rate was not solely the result of natural demographic changes, but was also due to the high prevalence of sterilisation procedures in the State.
Citing NFHS data, he noted that while the national sterilisation rate stands at 36.5 percent, Tamil Nadu records a significantly higher figure of 56.6 percent.
He further said that the rate of male sterilisation in Tamil Nadu is nearly twice the national average.
He urged the Tamil Nadu government to introduce measures encouraging larger families, including incentives for couples opting for a third child. He also called for steps to discourage sterilisation procedures.
“The Tamil Nadu government must act immediately to prevent further decline in the State’s Total Fertility Rate,” he said.
