Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu once again emphasized the need to increase the population, citing recent trends.
Speaking at a seminar held at the AP Secretariat on the occasion of World Population Day, the CM revealed that a survey showed nearly 20% of the youth are not interested in getting married.
He further noted that due to lack of stable employment and sufficient income, many young couples are also opting not to have children.
He emphasized that in India, population is a strong economic asset.
Quoting Telugu poet Gurajada Apparao, he said, “A nation is not its soil, but its people,” urging everyone to move forward with that inspiration.
The Chief Minister pointed out that his government is focusing on population growth in Andhra Pradesh. He recalled that earlier, a law prevented those with more than two children from contesting in local body elections, but that law has since been repealed.
Declaring his support for population growth, Naidu remarked that countries with large populations, once underestimated, are now receiving greater global recognition.
He stated that India, with an estimated population of around 1.43 billion, is now the most populous country in the world — surpassing China’s 1.3 billion.
Naidu also expressed concern over the global trend of declining populations, warning that it could hinder future development.
