Tamil Nadu maternity leave move highlights low fertility in south

Tamil Nadu's new proposal to extend maternity leave for women government employees has drawn attention to the state's declining fertility rate, which at 1.5 children per woman is well below the national average of 2.0. The policy aims to support working mothers amid concerns that low birth rates are shrinking the state's young population.

Southern states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, now have some of the lowest fertility rates in India, mirroring trends seen in developed countries. The ageing population in these states is growing, with the share of citizens over 60 rising faster than the national average. This demographic shift raises long-term questions about the region's political representation and economic vitality.

The move comes as the central government continues to resist calls for population control measures in the south, where leaders argue that states with higher fertility rates in the north could gain more seats in Parliament after the next delimitation exercise.