The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to hold extensive consultations and gather public opinion before implementing a new population management policy titled, ‘Pillale Sampada’ (children are wealth), across the State, aimed at encouraging population growth and addressing the steadily declining fertility rate.

The proposed policy, based on the draft Population Management Policy introduced in the Legislative Assembly on March 5, 2026, marks a major shift from population control measures to population promotion, with the government considering financial incentives for larger families as part of its long-term strategy to ensure workforce availability and economic sustainability.

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the State, which once stood at 2.10, has now declined to 1.50. In comparison, the national average fertility rate is 1.9, placing Andhra Pradesh well below the national level.

The State government believes that a falling fertility rate could lead to a severe shortage of human resources and economic stagnation in the future. Concerned over the rapidly declining fertility rate and its possible long-term impact on workforce availability and economic growth, the coalition government is proposing the innovative programme.

As part of the proposed policy shift, the government is planning to move away from population control measures and instead promote population growth. Under the proposed incentive scheme, families may receive financial assistance of ₹30,000 upon the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for the fourth.

The coalition government now considers population management a strategic necessity to ensure adequate workforce availability and sustained development in the coming decades. The initiative is aimed at creating long-term economic stability and maintaining demographic balance in society, according to a press release issued on Sunday.