Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced cash incentives for families having a third or fourth child to boost state population growth.
The policy marks a shift in demographic strategy as the state attempts to reverse a declining birth rate. By providing direct financial support, the government aims to change the economic perception of larger families.
Speaking at the Swarna Andhra–Swachh Andhra programme in Narasannapeta, Naidu said the specific payment tiers for the new initiative. The government will provide a cash incentive of ₹30,000 [1] for the birth of a third child. For families who have a fourth child, the incentive increases to ₹40,000 [1].
Naidu said the initiative is a matter of national interest and long-term stability. He said that children should be seen as the nation’s wealth rather than a burden.
The announcement comes as part of a broader effort to address demographic trends in the region. The state is prioritizing population growth to ensure a sustainable workforce, and social structure for the future.
Officials said that these payments are intended to alleviate the immediate financial pressures associated with expanding a family. The program is designed to encourage citizens to view larger families as an asset to the state's future prosperity.
“"Children should be seen as the nation’s wealth rather than a burden."”
This move reflects a growing trend among certain regional governments to implement pro-natalist policies in response to falling fertility rates. By attaching a specific monetary value to additional births, Andhra Pradesh is attempting to offset the rising cost of child-rearing, which often drives the transition toward smaller family units in developing economies.
