[faangguyindia]

funny thing is india, it's not about money. I know tech bros here who make really good income, have good residential properties and cars, they aren't complaining about not having enough money to marry, they just don't find any woman who is willing to marry them.

Most people who are having kids in india are lower income people.

so i just don't understand when people say it's because of money issue, when people with comfy jobs fail to have babies, it's not about money.

[thisislife2]

In India, from what I have personally observed it is mostly a mental health issue (anxiety disorders / depression):

1. Many men and women fear to commit to a relationship today and are increasingly remaining single, or marrying late (in their late 30's or 40's). Thus, even those who marry can't have a large family as the older you get the more fertility issues you have (along with additional anxieties of how to manage young kids when you are old).

2. For indian women in particular, it is also anxiety about loss of freedom if they can't work. Thus, even those who marry young, try to avoid having a large family as they fear it will be an impediment to their career (which means less financial freedom, and the fear of being under the "control" of a male spouse).

3. And finally there's the western capitalistic consumerism , where even spouse or a kid can be seen as an impediment to enjoying a consumerist lifestyle by the individual in their "pursuit of happiness".

[SanjayMehta]

What you're saying mostly applies to general category people. If you spend any time listening to middle class families it all comes down to the cost of getting a good education if the kids didn't get a "government seat." As an example, a medical degree in a private college can cost 1cr for tuition fees alone.

The kids pick up on this lament consciously or unconsciously and realise that the more kids they will have, the worse the problem.

The "poor" people get subsidies and freebies, and the more children they have, the more sops state governments throw away at them.

I'm also told, but can't confirm it, another factor is social media pushing fancy vacations abroad spending their entire income.

[readthenotes1]

Highest birth rate is in sub Saharan Africa iirc.

Money matters but is not the primary.