Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Nov 14: The district of Udupi, which has been at the forefront of literacy and healthcare, has recorded negative population growth over the past five years, with the number of deaths exceeding births. A significant decline in the number of children enrolling in primary schools has also been recorded, indicating a major social and demographic transition.
An analysis of birth and death figures in the district over the past few years has revealed that the number of people dying has exceeded the number of children being born in several years. This is a clear indication that the population growth rate in the district is declining.
While the birth rate in the district has been declining year after year, the number of deaths has been steadily increasing. In 2021, 12,983 children were born, while 13,934 people died. In 2022, 13,180 children were born and 12,528 people died. In 2023, there were 12,126 births and 12,051 deaths. In 2024, 11,047 children were born, while 12,269 people died. In 2025, 11,142 children were born and 12,509 people died. In the post-Covid period, the district is facing concerns over a new demographic imbalance.
Late marriages, the preference for having only one child and changing lifestyles are contributing to the decline in the birth rate. Experts say that in recent years, young couples from the Hindu and Christian communities are increasingly opting to have only one child due to economic and social reasons, resulting in a significant decline in births.
The migration of the younger generation from the district to Bengaluru, Mumbai and foreign countries for employment and higher education is also a major reason for the decline in the local birth rate. Population experts have expressed concern that if the death rate continues to exceed the birth rate in a progressive society, the district could face a shortage of young people in the future. If the trend continues, there is a risk of the district turning into a district dominated by elderly people, they have warned.
Changes in population patterns need to be analysed from multiple dimensions. Government statistics for the past five years show that the number of children enrolling in Class 1 has declined by more than 50%.
In the 2021-22 academic year, 16,279 children newly enrolled in class 1 in the district. The number stood at 14,166 in 2022-23, 14,073 in 2023-24, 13,821 in 2024-25 and 11,300 in 2025-26.
The figure has declined sharply in 2026-27. According to statistics for June, a total of 7,256 students have enrolled in class 1 across the district. Of these, 5,974 children have joined private schools, 3,063 have enrolled in government schools and only 565 have joined aided schools. This is a clear indication of the declining birth rate among children in the district.
"While approximately 63,000 children are born every day in the country, around 27,000 people die every day. In Udupi district, 11,142 children were born last year, while 12,509 people died. This means the birth and death rates in the district are more or less equal. Late marriages and the policy of having only one child are the main reasons for this. It has also been observed that the life expectancy of the general population in the district has increased," said Dr Ashwini Kumar, head, department of community medicine, KMC Manipal.