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India’s shift from a historically high-fertility regime to below replacement fertility has occurred relatively rapidly over the past few decades. Unlike classical demographic transition models, India’s fertility transition exhibits an unconventional pattern, marked by a weak and uneven relationship between socioeconomic development and fertility decline. This distinctive trajectory raises important questions about its broader implications, particularly for economic outcomes and gender equity.

This presentation synthesizes existing debates on fertility change and situates India’s experience within a broader comparative framework. Drawing on key national health and demographic data sources, the analysis highlights the pronounced regional diversity of India’s demographic transition and examines how fertility decline intersects with institutional structures and labor market dynamics. The findings underscore that demographic change in India is not uniform, but deeply shaped by region-specific social, economic, and policy contexts.