Experts say that a troubling trend of declining overall fertility rates has emerged in Karnataka.
The experts referred to this as a worrying development and explained that the nation is seeing a population boom as a result of a lower fertility rate brought on by lifestyle decisions associated with greater economic prosperity.
Priority is given to higher education and professional careers. They said that delayed marriages and greater levels of education are to blame for the recent trends in lower fertility.
Obesity and stress are killers in this regard, they opined.
According to Dr Sangeetha Anand, Senior Consultant- Fertility and IVF, Apollo Fertility Brookefield, “There is a decline in the total fertility rate in Karnataka, reaching as low as 1.7 births per woman in 2020 compared to 3.6 in 1981, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).”
This rate dropped to 1.5 by 2023, which is a worrying trend. There’s an intriguing difference between the districts.
She said that the fertility rates in Bengaluru are 1.7, Udupi is 1.2, Hassan, Mandya, Chikmagalur, and Kodagu are 1.5, Bidar is 2.7, and Vijayapura is 3.0.
According to Dr. Sangeetha, the use of modern contraceptives, postponed marriage, poorer semen quality, and older mothers all contribute to the decline in fertility.
The reproduction rate needs to be at least 2.1 in order to sustain a stable population. Because of their job and lifestyle choices, one in six couples experience infertility.
She clarified that Bengaluru is expected to face a comparable challenge in the future when it comes to caring for a sizable aging population, as 38% of the country’s population is over 60.
According to Dr. Sangeetha, women often delay having children and settle for one child because they are past the optimal age for childbearing at the time of marriage.
“One notable demographic trend with broad ramifications is the drop in fertility rates in places like Bangalore. The dynamics of family planning have changed as a result of urbanization, altered lifestyles, and easier access to education and employment opportunities. Due to financial constraints, living space constraints, and a desire for a higher quality of life, couples are choosing to have fewer children, according to Dr. Manisha Singh, Senior Consultant in Gynecology and Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore.
Elder care, a possible labor shortage, and an increased burden on healthcare systems are some of the issues raised by this trend. To ensure the sustainability and prosperity of cities like Bangalore, Dr. Manisha Singh explains, governments and policymakers must address these demographic shifts through family-friendly policies, support for working parents, and improvements to the healthcare infrastructure.
Dr Santosh Gupta, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility, Koramangala, Bengaluru, explained that infertility is a very common problem that affects almost 15 per cent of couples.
There is an increase in the incidence of infertility. Age is the most important factor. There is a huge change in socio-cultural setup where the age of marriage is shifting. There is a rise in late marriages and delayed parenthood. Women are age-sensitive in terms of fertility, he said.
The egg reserve will begin to decrease at age 32. Generally, he says, this can differ from patient to patient.
Obesity can lower fertility and disrupt hormones. According to Dr. Santosh Gupta, sedentary lifestyles, binge-watching television, eating junk food, and having irregular sleep patterns can lead to hormonal imbalances in women and affect infertility in men as well.
The biggest killer of modern lifestyles is stress. Stress can lead to a variety of issues, including infertility. He clarified that couples occasionally are unable to engage in normal sexual activity because of stress and performance anxiety.
According to Dr. M. Rajini, Consultant Gynecologist at CARE Hospitals Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, a population’s declining fertility rates can be caused by a number of factors.
Since age can affect fertility, a growing number of people are opting to delay having children, which may lower fertility rates. People may be discouraged from having larger families due to the expense of housing, education, and child rearing. According to him, delaying family planning and having fewer children may result from pursuing higher education and career advancement.
Notably, the World Fertility Day is celebrated on November 2 across the world with the goal being to raise awareness around infertility, dispel common misconceptions about the disease.
