India, home to 1.45 billion people, recently overtook China as the world’s most populous country. Yet, behind this demographic milestone lies an unexpected challenge. While national leaders once warned that a large population could hinder development, several southern states are now facing the opposite problem – falling fertility rates. This decline is more than just a demographic issue. A shrinking birth rate could reduce the future workforce, strain healthcare and social services, and weaken political influence, since parliamentary representation and federal funding are tied to population size.