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​Baby bait: on the Andhra Pradesh government’s proposed incentives for families

Andhra Pradesh proposes incentives for larger families (three or more children) due to a declining fertility rate (1.5) and an aging population. The package includes cash, education, and childcare. However, the author critically notes weak evidence that such incentives significantly boost fertility without socio-economic trade-offs. High living costs and late employment are key drivers of smaller families, which incentives are unlikely to offset. Doubling women's labor force participation also conflicts with increasing births without comprehensive social support. The policy risks increasing vulnerable families without long-term aid, exacerbating ecological issues, and represents a mismatch in addressing constitutional design problems.

The Hindu · The Hindu · May 25, 2026 at 7:09 PM

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