Tesla CEO Elon Musk has commented on India’s latest fertility data, saying the country’s birth rate has fallen below the level required to sustain population replacement over the long term. His remarks came in response to newly released demographic figures showing a continued decline in India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR).
Reacting to the data on X, Musk wrote: “India’s birth rate has fallen below replacement. Among those most educated, India’s birth rate fell below replacement many years ago.” He suggested that the trend reflects a broader global pattern observed in several countries, where fertility rates have steadily declined.
The observations followed the release of the 2024 Sample Registration System (SRS) report, which showed India’s TFR dropping to 1.9 children per woman from 2.1 previously. A fertility rate of 2.1 is generally considered the replacement level needed for a population to maintain its size from one generation to the next without relying on migration.
According to the report, most Indian states are now below this benchmark. Only Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand continue to record fertility rates above replacement level.
Demographers note that falling fertility rates can bring both opportunities and challenges, including changes in workforce size, ageing populations and long-term economic planning. The latest figures have renewed discussion around India’s evolving demographic profile and its future social and economic implications.
