# Tamil Nadu may incentivise couples for more children as fertility rate dips

2026-08-09T14:37:25+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Tamil Nadu Health Minister KG Arunraj said on Sunday the state could follow Andhra Pradesh and offer incentives to couples for having more children. The state's Total Fertility Rate has fallen below 1.4, well under the replacement level of 2.1, and nearly 16% of the population is aged above 60. Arunraj described the demographic shift as a major public health challenge. The minister also flagged a sharp decline in deliveries at government hospitals, from 65.8% in 2017-18 to 51% now. He attributed this to private medical colleges offering free maternity care and the extension of a state scheme to private hospitals. The government recently launched the 'Thaai Maaman Thangam' scheme to ease the financial burden on poor and middle-class families seeking private healthcare. A detailed study will examine the reasons for the decline in government hospital deliveries.

## Coverage

- thefederal.com <https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-fertility-tfr-incentives-for-couples-253010>
- indiatoday.in <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/tamil-nadu-fertility-rate-below-1-4-childbirth-incentives-under-consideration-ptag-2967099-2026-08-09?utm_source=rss>

Tags: ageing population, Andhra Pradesh, Andrews government, fertility rate, healthcare, Tamil Nadu
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