Imagine if India had never adopted its family planning program, today our population would be between 2.5 to 3 billion. The pressure on land, water, and food resources would have been catastrophic. Agricultural expansion is already limited, while water resources are projected to shrink by nearly 50 per cent by 2030. Such a scenario would have led to widespread hunger, mass migration, and chaos.

For decades, Indian society had one convenient scapegoat for every national challenge, the ‘population explosion’. But it’s time to shed that mindset. A growing population is neither a curse nor a burden; it’s a potential asset, if educated, skilled, and made responsible. Through its family planning program, India took a historic step that has brought us to a path of stability and balance.

Today, India’s population exceeds 1.46 billion, the highest in the world. Yet this number is not something to fear; it’s something to manage wisely. This is the very human resource that has powered India’s rise in digital innovation, IT services, space exploration, and economic growth. Despite the early missteps in post-independence planning, family planning remains one of India’s greatest social reform successes.

India launched the world’s first national family planning program in 1952, a bold and visionary initiative at a time when even discussing the topic was taboo in most countries. By integrating it into the Five-Year Plans, the government sent a clear message: “Strong families are the foundation of a strong nation.” The early focus was on public awareness and expanding health services.

The 1960s saw the slogan ‘Hum Do, Hamare Do’ resonate across the country, reshaping social attitudes. People began to understand that smaller families meant better living standards and opportunities. The mistakes of the 1970s forced sterilisation drives taught India valuable lessons. After the 1994 Cairo Conference, the focus shifted from population control to voluntary family welfare, with maternal health, education, and women’s rights becoming the core of national policy.

Under the National Health Mission, millions of families today have access to modern contraceptives, condoms, IUCDs, and injectables. Digital tools and mobile health apps like mCEmr have helped deliver these services directly to households.

Family planning has transformed Indian society profoundly. The population growth rate has dropped to 0.89 per cent, down from 2.3 per cent in the 1970s. Once, the average woman had 5.7 children; today, that figure is 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.

The results are visible everywhere. Infant mortality has fallen from 146 per 1,000 (in 1951) to just 27. Life expectancy has risen from 32 years to 71 years. Female literacy has increased by about 25 per cent over the last two decades. Smaller families have improved nutrition, education, and housing outcomes.

Behind these achievements lies the tireless work of frontline health workers, Anganwadi and ASHA volunteers, who have carried these services to every village and home. Their contribution deserves deep appreciation.

Interestingly, India’s urban fertility rate is now 1.6, compared to 2.2 in rural areas, showing that education and awareness naturally lead to smaller families. Economists estimate that declining fertility could yield $7.4 trillion in economic gains between 1991 and 2061. Fewer children mean more household savings, greater female participation in the workforce, and higher investments in health and education.

Public commentator Prof Paras Nath Chaudhary notes, “Nearly 65 per cent of India’s population is under 35, with an average age of just 28. This youth demographic is our true demographic dividend. Family planning’s success has positioned India to harness this energy. If we can educate and empower our young people, they can become the driving force not just for India’s economy, but for the global market.”

Indians working abroad sent home $111 billion in remittances in 2022, about three per cent of India’s GDP, a testament to the impact of a balanced population, strong families, and education.

India has moved from a ‘control mindset’ to a development-driven approach. The goal now is to ensure universal access to family planning information and tools, especially for women. Still, about 9.4 per cent of women lack access to contraceptive services, a gap that must be closed, says social worker Vidya.

According to activist Padmini Iyer, “Family planning is no longer just a health program; it’s a social movement, driving change from the individual to the national level. It’s leading us toward a future where every family is happy, every child is educated, and every citizen is healthy.”

India has proven that ‘Fewer children, happier families’ is not just a slogan, but it’s a formula for prosperity. Family planning has shown us that sustainable development depends not merely on resources, but on an aware citizenry and a balanced population.