news details |
|
|
| Women of Punjab refrain from having children! | | | Vijay Garg
Women of Punjab are now avoiding having children. This is the reason why the birth rate is decreasing in the state. In the last 10 years, the total birth rate of Punjab has registered a decline of 11.8 percent. This has been revealed in the Central Government’s Sample Registration System Statistical Report. According to the report, this major change has come about due to the changing lifestyle of the people. In Punjab, the total birth rate was 1.7 during the year 2011-13, which has decreased to 1.5 in 2021-23. This is even lower than the national rate. If we talk about rural areas, the birth rate was 1.8 in 2011-13, which has decreased to 1.6 in 2023, which has registered a decrease of 11.1 percent. Similarly, in urban areas, this rate has decreased from 1.6 to 1.4, which shows a decrease of 12.5 percent. The ideal birth rate is considered to be 2.1, which is sufficient to keep the population stable. However, in some developed countries this rate is less than 2.1 and their population is decreasing. On the other hand, in some countries the population is increasing due to high birth rate. At the national level too, the birth rate has decreased from before. In the year 2011-13, it was 2.4, which has become 2.) in 2021-23. Increasing number of working women: The number of working women is now increasing in Punjab, which is also having an impact on the birth rate. Now the percentage of girls/women in the population up to the age of 14 is decreasing. In the year 2013, it was 22.1 percent, which decreased to 19.1 percent in 2023. Along with this, the percentage of women in the age group of 15 to 59 is increasing rapidly. In the year 2013 The percentage of women in this age group was 66.4, which increased to 68.8 percent in 2023. In the same age group Working women are included. Women’s Increasing education and working life Participation in They Of Responsibilities and initiatives have changed. Very All women now prefer to focus on their careers, due to which they are postponing the decision to get married and have children. At the same time, due to social and economic changes, women are also focusing on their life priorities. Increase in the elderly population: The elderly population in Punjab is increasing. In the year 2013, the total population of the state was 60 years and above. The share of people over the age of 10 was 10.6 percent, which increased to 11.6 percent in 2023. If Talked about women If we look at the percentage of the elderly population in this age group, it was 11.5 percent in 2013, which increased to 12.1 percent in 2023. Similarly, the percentage of the elderly population among men has also increased. 1.3 percent in There has been an increase, which has increased from 9.8 to 11.1 percent. went The reason for the increasing elderly population is better healthcare facilities, longer life expectancy and improved living standards. However, at the same time, the low birth rate has changed the demographic structure of the state. As a result of the increasing elderly population and low birth rate, the state may face social and economic challenges in the future, such as health Increasing burden on care and pension schemes The main reasons for the decline in the total birth rate are “Urbanization, education and work participation: With urbanization, women’s participation in education and work life has increased. This has changed the responsibilities and priorities of women. Given. Rising cost of education and raising children: The rising cost of education, health, and raising children has motivated families to have fewer children. “Family Planning and the Trend of Smaller Families: The availability of family planning programs and the increasing trend of smaller families have also reduced the fertility rate. “Changing Lifestyle and Thinking: Punjab” There is also a change in the lifestyle and thinking of the people of Punjab. Earlier, people used to think that having more children would increase their income, but now this thinking has changed. Due to the increase in the expenses of children, people are now preferring small families. According to gynecologist Manisa Maini, there has been a change in the thinking of people in Punjab. Now people see more children as an economic burden, which is a major reason for the decline in the birth rate. Low birth rate and increasing elderly population have posed many challenges to Punjab. Due to this changing population structure, the state may face problems like healthcare, social security, and shortage of workforce. The government needs to formulate policies in this direction that can balance the needs of the younger generation and the elderly. The decline in the birth rate in Punjab is a result of social, economic and cultural changes. The increasing education of women, their participation in the workforce and changing lifestyles have further strengthened this trend. The government and society need to understand this changing population structure and be prepared to address its future impacts.
Vijay Garg Retired Principal Educational Columnist Malout Punjab |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
