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A mass of tiny orange dots arranged in a circle, labelled WORLD POULATION. A key shows 1 dot = million people
This is the world's population, in dots.(ABC News)

Four clusters of orange dots represent the populations of China, India, Australia and other
Here's Australia next to China and India.(ABC News)

A graph of orange dots represents populations of China and India in 2023. On China's side, the older age brackets are fuller
China's population is ageing, whereas in India, more than 40 per cent of people are under 25.(ABC News)

A line graph shows China (purple) and India (orange) fertility rates over time, both steeply declining from the 1970s
Fertility rates have declined in both China and India since the 1970s.(ABC News)

A map of India is colour coded according to the state/territory fertility rate. Bihar is highlighted as the highest at 2.98
Note: This map shows the boundaries of states and union territories as defined by the Indian government. It includes areas in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in the north of the country that the UN regards as contested areas.(ABC News)

Titled contraception use among married women in India between 15-49, dots represent sterilisation, no contraception and other
A third of married Indian woman of child-bearing age don't use contraception. Sterilisation is the most common form among those who do. (ABC News)

A group of women wearing maroon and pink robes walks down a steep street on a foggy morning
The ABC tagged along with a group of ASHAs on a recent trip to Sonipat, north of New Delhi.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

Gour women dressed in maroon walk down a cobblestoned street on a hazy day
The health workers knock on every door in the village, speaking to families about their reproductive options.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

A woman wearing a red-maroon headscarf looks straight down the barrel
Komal was initially hesitant about having the sterilisation surgery.(ABC News: Som Patidar)
A woman sits on a bed while her child bends down to tie her shoelace
With support from the health worker and her family, she chose a tubectomy.(ABC News: Som Patidar)
A woman wearing a maroon headscarf sits on a bed with her two children, inside a room with pink walls
Komal feels her family is complete.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

A group of women in maroon robes stand outside a doorway
ASHAs also receive incentives for every woman they encourage to have sterilisation surgery. (ABC News: Som Patidar)

A woman wearing a red head scarf, with a gold nose stud, stares straight into camera while standing in front of a rusty fence
Monika, an Accredited Social Health Activist, says current wages are not enough to keep up with the cost of living.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

Women in maroon stand outside a doorway chatting with two villagers. One of the health workers is carrying a plastic bag
Health workers talking with local women in Haryana. (ABC News: Som Patidar)
A close-up on a woman's hands. She is wearing maroon robes and pink cardigan
The health workers receive a higher commission for encouraging women with fewer children to get the surgery. (ABC News: Som Patidar)
A close-up on a group of women's hands show one woman offering a pamphlet about family planning
There is a concern that incentives are encouraging health workers to push women into surgery over other contraceptive options.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

A woman wearing a floral patterned purple-maroon headscarf gives a subtle smile while glancing down
Asha has strugged with the forms of contraception available to her.(ABC News: Som Patidar)
A close-up shows a woman holding a saucepan. She has several bracelets on her wrist
Her family is already struggling with the cost of living. (ABC News: Som Patidar)
A woman in purple headscarf sits with her three children and a man wearing a blue and red hoodie
Asha says her husband can't get a vasectomy, so she is opting for sterilisation surgery herself. (ABC News: Som Patidar)

An older man stands on a street with cars passing by behind and a large red sign reading Taneja Tailors
For Govind Lal Taneja, the memory of India's mandatory sterilisation program still lingers to this day.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

Lyndon B Johnson in a suit sits in a chair leaning his chin on his hand, talking to Indira Gandhi on a couch
Indira Gandhi met with US president Lyndon B Johnson in 1966, where he warned her about India's burgeoning population.(LBJ Library: Yoichi Okamoto)

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An older man wearing a winter jacket stands inside a tailor's shop
Govind wants the current government to make amends for the damage done by leaders of the past.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

A series of line graphs show declining fertility among Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Muslim and Sikh populations
Fertility is declining in all religious groups, however the Muslim community is seeing the fastest drop. (ABC News)

Crowds of people gather on a street with shop fronts on one side and open market stalls on the other
India's population is predicted to reach 1.6 billion by 2040.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

A young man wearing a puffer vest over a white T shirt stands in front of a brick wall
Less than half of Indian adults are employed, and students like Sohan have been holding demonstrations calling for more job opportunities.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

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A shot from above shows crowds of people at a colourful market
The way India manages population growth will impact the everyday lives of its people for years to come.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

Komal says everything she does is for her children's future.(ABC News: Som Patidar)

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