Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has introduced a new policy to encourage larger families in the state. The proposal defines that individuals wishing to contest local body elections, such as for the positions of sarpanch, municipal councillor, corporation chairman, or mayor, must have at least three children. 

"At one time, individuals with many children were not allowed to contest the panchayat or local body elections. Now, I am saying that individuals with fewer children cannot contest. You will only be eligible to become a sarpanch, municipal councillor, or mayor if you have more than two children," he said. This shift in policy comes as part of Naidu’s effort to address the declining birth rate in India, especially in light of the potential consequences for the state’s population and economy.

Naidu explained the rationale behind the new rule during an address in his hometown of Naravaripalle, Tirupati. He emphasised that historically, individuals with large families were disqualified from running in local body elections, but under the new system, it will be those with fewer than three children who are ineligible to stand for office. Naidu also pointed out the changing trends in family sizes, with modern families opting for fewer children compared to earlier generations, who typically had larger families.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over societal attitudes toward family size, highlighting that some people today choose not to have children, citing financial considerations and a desire for a more comfortable lifestyle.

He criticised this mindset, noting, “Your parents bore four to five children, and now you’ve reduced it to one. Even smarter people today are saying, 'double income, no kids, let us enjoy.' If their parents had thought like them, they wouldn’t have come into this world.”

Naidu also compared India’s population trends to those of countries like South Korea, Japan, and parts of Europe, where declining birth rates have led to demographic and economic challenges. He warned against India following the same path, stressing the importance of managing population growth to avoid an ageing population and its associated issues.

In the past, Naidu has raised concerns about India’s declining birth rate and its potential long-term effects. He called for a strategic approach to population management in Andhra Pradesh, suggesting that the state could face difficulties if its population demographics are not carefully balanced.

As of 2025, India’s population is expected to reach 1.45 billion, and projections show a decline starting in 2047, which could bring India’s population down to 1 billion by 2100. India's annual population growth saw a rise of 0.1 percentage points, or an increase of 14.71%, in 2023 compared to 2022.

A United Nations report said that in 2023, adults aged 65 and above made up only 7% of India's population, compared to 14% in China and 18% in the United States.