Fertility rate below replacement levels!

..unless either of the two mess up insanely bad We'll probably get to the #3 spot if things go well. But it seems impossible that we'll ever go beyond that. Internal reasons that are very hard to fix:- (1) Our population TFR fell below standard replacement rate in 2023. This means we will not be able to follow the same economic growth trajectory required to reach developed status before population stagnation or declination. This is not a death knell but definitely very VERY bad news. (2) Our blue-collar workforce skill levels are not only subpar but are slowly falling behind the world standards every year. Much of our youth aim to join government orgs like the Army or the Railways which train for the job later, not before. Despite a national shortage of skilled plumbers, electricians etc, our vocational training orgs have been unsuccessful in attracting people towards these careers as well as churning out skilled workers. (3) Our bureaucratic environment is extremely slow with pathetic turnaround times on initiatives. This is not government specific and has always been the case so it seems like this will always be. This is not even a problem unique to India as many other countries have been facing this too but it is still a factor that negatively impacts our growth massively. I wish it was just internal reasons but a large part of it also comes down to both China and US being aggressively great at ensuring their successes:- (1) Chinese manufacturing seems nearly impossible to overcome - not just for India but also for the US. Yes, we might win over some industries and companies like the US, Vietnam, Thailand etc. have been doing but the amount of autocratic control in China allows them to crush competition easily. Case in point - the recent tussle between India and China on solar manufacturing which China won by autocratically lowering their prices. (2) If de-dollarisation succeeds, it will benefit China the most because (contd. in comments)

- Births in Delhi remained below pre-pandemic levels for fourth consecutive year - 315,087 births registered in 2023, up from 300,350 in 2022 but lower than 365,868 in 2019 - Birth rate at 14.66 per thousand population, higher than 2022 but below pre-pandemic 18-19 - Institutional births reached 95.58% in 2023, highest since 2005 - Experts attribute drop to economic factors, expect recovery in coming years Source: [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/births-in-delhi-still-below-pre-pandemic-levels-data-101724697106490.html)

Overpopulation. No matter which issue you pick, under a few layers, there is a tsunami of people behind each and everything. Poverty? Because of Overpopulation Low Literacy? Because of Overpopulation Joblessness? Because of Overpopulation Majority of our public transport is bad? Under a few layers, Overpopulation Government unable take drastic steps for improvement? Overpopulation I think even these unnecessary rallies and “morchas” run by the government where you see “TONS of people” is also due to overpopulation. IF we weren’t 1.9 Billion, maybe a billion less, I think India would be free of its shackles and probably a superpower 50 years ahead of its current trajectory (These are all non-factual statements. Feel free to debate on this) I love my country, but I’m curious to understand if population is the only thing holding us back, or is it something else

- Recent data predicts that **45%** of women between ages **25 and 44** will be single and childless by **2030**. - The number of single women in the U.S. is expected to rise **1.2%** every year. - Economist Ellen Zentner highlights that motherhood is the largest contributor to the wage gap. - Single women spend more on travel, nightlife, and retail, boosting the economy. - Concerns arise about the negative societal impact, including mental health issues and declining birth rates. Source: [The Savanna Post- Medium](https://medium.com/the-savanna-post/45-of-women-estimated-to-be-single-and-childless-by-2030-1faf959b26cf#:~:text=Recent%20data%20predicts%20that%2045,to%20rise%201.2%25%20every%20year.&text=We're%20told%20by%20our,charge%20of%20her%20own%20life.)

Dating has become the norm for relationships today, but many don't realize that it's a relatively recent development, prevalent in Western society for only about a century, and it's already causing societal issues. Previously, Indian arranged marriages were standard (different from forced marriages). Families would arrange meetings between their daughters and another family's sons. If they liked each other, they would soon plan the wedding, marry, have sex, and start families. Today, individuals are left to find their own partners. If you don't find someone in high school, university, or work, your chances of finding a partner diminish. There's also less incentive for marriage, as sex no longer requires marriage or even dating, leading to more people pursuing sex directly. This has created a skewed dynamic where fewer men pursue women due to competition, turning to porn instead, while women face exploitation by men who have abundant choices. Ultimately, near 28-30 both genders rush to the arranged marriage system to get them a partner while having their feet dipped on dating apps. In the US, This has lead to decreased marriage rates and, consequently, lower birth rates since most births occur within marriages. A decline in families results in a decreased population, putting more pressure on younger generations to support an aging population. Western nations, therefore, rely heavily on immigration, causing additional challenges. Increased single motherhood also correlates with higher crime rates, drug use, loneliness, mental health issues, and suicides P.S. I'm young and dating too. Just thoughts for a conversation on what the implications of dating for us as a society could be.