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India’s population will soon be falling—probably quite fast
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IN THE SPRAWLING slum in Delhi where Parul Gayen lived in the 1970s, children were everywhere. It was not unusual then that her mother had been one of six, or her grandfather one of 11. Swapan, the handsome boy whom she often saw cycling to work, and later married at 16, had six siblings—the seventh did not survive infancy. But times have changed, says Ms Gayen, who is now 58 and lives with Swapan in a one-bedroom flat nearby. Of the couple’s three grown-up kids, only two decided to have children of their own. Both stopped at one. “One child feels lonely,” she says.In 1950 India’s population was 360m. The average woman had six children—roughly the same as an American woman a century earlier. Today, with a population of 1.45bn, India accounts for a sixth of humanity. It surpassed China as the world’s most populous country in 2023 and has kept growing. But its total fertility rate (TFR), the number of births a typical woman has over her lifetime, has fallen to 1.9 (see chart 1), below the level needed to keep the population stable in the long run. Although the population will keep growing for a spell, as the generation that are currently children themselves become parents, a future contraction is inevitable unless the fertility rate rises back above 2.15. In practice, it is likely to keep falling, accelerating the impending shrinkage. In Delhi, for instance, the TFR is 1.2.Baby bluesThe rich world and many middle-income countries are awash with anxiety about declining fertility, shrinking workforces and impending or intensifying falls in population. Politicians often badger or bribe parents to have more children, with little success. Now India, once a source of angst about exponential population growth, is joining the same club. New school textbooks, to be published this summer, will warn of the perils of too few, rather than too many, children. In May Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, a southern state of about 55m, announced a 30,000 rupee ($315) payout for couples who have a third child.As recently as 2019 Narendra Modi, the prime minister, warned of a “population explosion”. But the government’s thinking has flipped, says Sanjeev Sanyal, an adviser to Mr Modi. Today officials worry that India is on a similar path to China, whose population has been shrinking since 2021. Fertility has fallen much further and faster than expected, says Neelkanth Mishra, chief economist of Axis Bank. In both Tamil Nadu, a state of roughly 77m, and West Bengal (100m) the TFR stands at 1.3, the same as in Finland (see chart 2). The average for urban India is 1.5. For a long time demographers thought poor northern states would delay India’s demographic transition. Now they seem to be converging with wealthier, less teeming parts of the country.Some might see a shrinking population as a blessing. After all, India’s infrastructure often seems inadequate: think of commuters cramming themselves into Mumbai’s local trains, for instance. Yet the prospect of an India with fewer children is not an entirely comforting one, either. It would get old before it gets rich, making for a difficult demographic transition. The effects would ripple through its society, its economy and its politics.India’s extraordinarily fertile land and largely reliable monsoon help explain why it accounts for 2.4% of the world’s land mass but 18% of its people. Its population was given a further boost by the medical advances of the late 20th century. In 1950 a quarter of children did not survive to their fifth birthday; by 2000 only a tenth died young. India went through this transition in mortality at an unusually early stage of development, when its birth rates remained very high, says Sonalde Desai of the University of Maryland.That combination made India exhibit A for population alarmists. It was a visit to a “hellish” slum in Delhi in the 1960s that inspired Paul Ehrlich, an American biologist, to write “The Population Bomb”. He warned that the battle to
A video of the incident, which took place in full view of other employees and office staff, shows Harvinder, dressed in a black T-shirt and white trousers, entering the office in an apparent rage while carrying a knife.Screengrab from the viral video.A woman in Punjab's Mohali was stabbed to death multiple times inside her office by a man believed to be her former boyfriend. The accused, identified as Harvinder Mann, later attempted to take his own life using the same knife, according to news agency PTI.CCTV captures attack inside officeA video of the incident, which took place in full view of other employees and office staff, shows Harvinder, dressed in a black T-shirt and white trousers, entering the office in an apparent rage while carrying a knife.The footage shows him repeatedly stabbing Dimple, who was seated at her workstation using a laptop. Dimple then attempts to run to safety, but Harvinder allegedly continues the attack and is seen pulling her by the hair.As colleagues rush to intervene, he brandishes the knife at them and continues the assault.At the time of the incident, there was a shift change, and only two or three people were present on the floor.Accused attempted suicideFollowing the attack, Harvinder allegedly stabbed himself in the throat more than 30 times inside the office premises.Panicked employees immediately rushed both individuals for medical assistance. The woman was later declared dead, while the accused is reportedly battling for his life.Former colleagues were reportedly in a relationshipHarry and Dimple were colleagues at a private packers and movers company, where they worked together for nearly three years. During that period, they developed a friendship and were reportedly involved in a romantic relationship. The relationship is believed to have ended some time ago.According to preliminary information, the accused allegedly attempted to revive the relationship after the break-up but was unsuccessful, which reportedly left him emotionally disturbed.Police said an argument broke out between the two on Thursday, after which the accused allegedly attacked the woman with a knife.Investigation underwayInvestigators are continuing their probe and are examining the precise circumstances and motive behind the incident.Police have informed the families of both the accused and the victim. According to reports, the victim's parents live in the United States.Help is available!If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, help is available.Kiran Mental Health Helpline: 24x7 support: 1800-599-0019AASRA Suicide Prevention Helpline: 9820466726Sneha Foundation: Emotional support helpline: 044-24640050iCALL by TISS: Mental health counselling services for students and individuals.District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) clinics are available at district hospitals and government medical colleges across India for in-person counselling and treatment.About the AuthorKanishka SinghariaKanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experie
Social media users felt that Anushka Sharma, who lives in London and has access to the best of healthcare, should not promote homeopathy to her over 60 million followers who do not enjoy the same privilege.Anshuka Sharma Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma recently shared an Instagram story backing homeopathy, an alternative medicine system, as a “key part” of her life. However, this has not sat well with social media users, who accused the actress of hypocrisy.In the Instagram story, Anushka shared a YouTube link to Dr Rajan Sankaran's video titled: “Homeopathy doesn't treat conditions, it treats people”.She wrote: “Homeopathy has played an important role in my life, and Dr Rajan Sankaran has been a key part of that journey. I deeply value his insights on health and mindful living.”View full ImageAnushka Sharma's IG storyThis comes a day after she visited the ashram of Vrindavan-based Sant Premanand Maharaj with her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli.Why are social media users angry?Social media users felt that Anushka Sharma, who lives in London and has access to the best of healthcare, should not promote homeopathy to her over 60 million followers who do not enjoy the same privilege.“Anushka Sharma shared a story on Instagram in support of homeopathy. She and her husband live in London, getting the best treatment there, but look at the hypocrisy,” a user said.“Totally unexpected from an educated lady like Anushka Sharma. Can't believe,” another added.“Virat Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma is recommending homeopathy to Indians,” A netizen said. “Fraud babas are not enough, she is now promoting unscientific fraud medicine to Indians. Give them enough money and they might one day tell people, ‘Just visit Premanand Maharaj to cure all your diseases’.”“Anushka Sharma left India to live in 4 AQI of London, eats the most unadulterated food items in the world, jogs in clean lanes, lives around the most advanced healthcare system,” a user said. “Then comes home occasionally and preaches unscientific cures using Homoeopathy to Indians who breathe in 400+ AQI Air, eat adulterated food and walk in garbage and dirt.”Another netizen said that she has been Anushka's fan for 12 years, but “I’m officially retiring as a fan”. The user acknowledged that “her world won’t change, but my perspective completely changed. The admiration is gone.”She also listed several reasons for this, and said that Anushka worships “fraud baba” and said it was not being religious, but stupidity.“More than 60M people follow you Anushka and you promote homeopathy on your story??” the user highlighted. “I have seen many people who denied proper medicine and died using these things in the name of belief and you freaking promote that??”Another user asked the actress to be more transparent about her health condition and its homeopathic treatment so that people can make informed decisions. “Dear Anushka Sharma, Many Indians would appreciate more clarity about the health condition you faced and what kind of homeopathic treatment you underwent Sharing your experience could help people better understand your journey and make informed decisions about their own health.”“I have seen that in many people, those living abroad have the strongest views of how the people in their native country should live, mostly for their vested interests,” another user said. About the AuthorArshdeep KaurArshdeep Kaur is a Senior Content Producer at Mint, where she reports and edits across national and international politics, business and culture‑adjacent trending stories for digital audience. With five years in the newsroom, she strives to balance the speed and rigor of fast‑moving news cycles and longer, context‑rich explainers. Before joining LiveMint, Arshdeep served as a Senior Sub‑Editor at Business Standard and earlier as a Sub‑Editor at Asian News International (ANI). Her experience spans live news flows, enterprise features, and multi‑platform packaging. At Mint, she regularly wr
Ebola has reached a health zone more than 100 miles from the mining town where Democratic Republic of Congo’s outbreak is believed to have begun, as responders track fewer than 40% of known contacts in the epidemic’s hardest-hit province.Ebola Reaches New Congo Area as Contact Tracing Breaks Down(Bloomberg) -- Ebola has reached a health zone more than 100 miles from the mining town where Democratic Republic of Congo’s outbreak is believed to have begun, as responders track fewer than 40% of known contacts in the epidemic’s hardest-hit province.Health officials in Ituri province, which accounts for almost 94% of confirmed infections, were actively monitoring only 39.3% of identified contacts, the country’s National Institute of Public Health said in a report Tuesday. The newly affected health zone of Mambasa lies southwest of the town of Mongbwalu, considered the outbreak’s point of origin, bringing the total number of affected health zones nationwide to 24.The outbreak — caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus — has become one of the most complex Ebola epidemics in recent years, spreading through a conflict-affected region where insecurity, population movements and distrust of authorities are undermining efforts to identify contacts and isolate cases. At the same time, health officials are trying to make sense of rapidly changing surveillance data.More than 4,000 contacts are now under follow-up across the three affected provinces, though fewer than half were reached by surveillance teams, according to the report. Neighboring Uganda also confirmed six new cases Tuesday, bringing its total to 15 infections, including one death.Responders in Congo cleared a laboratory backlog that had built up in recent days, analyzing all 76 samples collected on Monday. Almost a third tested positive for Ebola.Congo has now recorded 344 confirmed infections and 60 confirmed Ebola deaths, according to the report. The death toll rose from 48 reported Monday after officials updated figures in North Kivu province, where delays in treatment, community deaths and patients fleeing care have contributed to unusually high mortality. Twenty-three new confirmed cases were reported on June 1 alone, including 11 in Mongbwalu and six in Bunia, Ituri’s capital.“The escape of four confirmed cases — one in Ituri and three in North Kivu — constitutes a major risk of community transmission and ongoing spread of the epidemic,” the report said. Burial AttacksCommunity resistance remains a major obstacle to containment. Red Cross teams carrying out safe burials were attacked and beaten at a cemetery, the report said, while authorities continued to encounter resistance to contact tracing in Bunia and Nizi, a mining town about 15 miles north of the city.Health officials also documented persistent rumors that traditional healers possess plant-based cures for Ebola and warned that some communities fear other vaccination campaigns could be mistaken for efforts to spread the virus.While officials said preliminary data suggest community transmission may be declining, they cautioned that the figures remain incomplete. Separately, licensed Ebola vaccines may generate partial immune responses against the Bundibugyo strain, according to a preprint released last week. Detectable cross-reactive antibodies against Bundibugyo Ebola were found in samples from a large West African vaccine trial, though at substantially lower levels than against the Zaire strain targeted by the shots, researchers at the Vaccine Research Institute in Paris reported. The findings haven’t yet been peer reviewed.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com©2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Congo reopened the main airport in the eastern province hardest hit by Ebola, after health officials reported tentative signs the outbreak may be slowing despite a continuing struggle to trace exposed contacts and investigate suspected cases.Congo Reopens Main Airport in Ebola Epicenter as Officials Brace for Long Outbreak(Bloomberg) -- Congo reopened the main airport in the eastern province hardest hit by Ebola, after health officials reported tentative signs the outbreak may be slowing despite a continuing struggle to trace exposed contacts and investigate suspected cases.The airport in Bunia — the capital of Ituri province — resumed operations immediately after health authorities determined that screening and surveillance measures were sufficient to manage travel risks, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s transport ministry said in a Monday statement posted on social media. Passengers will undergo temperature screening before departure and arrival.Authorities are increasingly focusing on how to sustain transport links, health-care services and outbreak operations during what could be a lengthy epidemic. Vaccine developers are racing to bring three experimental Bundibugyo vaccines into human testing, while health officials expand treatment and coordination capacity in Ituri.The outbreak has caused 321 confirmed infections and 48 deaths across 23 health zones in the country’s east, according to a situation report released Monday. Authorities were actively monitoring only 43% of identified contacts, less than half the target rate of 95%, while 47 laboratory samples remained awaiting analysis.The report described Logo as a newly affected health zone, bringing the total number impacted in Ituri province to 15. While health officials said “the current evolution of the disease shows a decrease in community transmission,” they cautioned that the data remain incomplete.Separately, officials are assessing facilities in Bunia that could house the national Ebola response coordination center, part of an effort to strengthen management of an outbreak that has spread across multiple provinces, Congo’s National Institute of Public Health said.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com©2026 Bloomberg L.P.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsCongo Reopens Main Airport in Ebola Epicenter as Officials Brace for Long OutbreakMore
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