The recent population projection report serves as a wake-up call for us as we are at risk of losing the population dividend and balance. The fertility rate in Bagmati Province is approximately 1.3, meaning a couple has only one child, while in the Madhesh Province, it is 2.75, indicating about three children per couple. The overall average fertility rate in Nepal is around 1.9, which is less than 2. Population balance theory suggests that ten couples should have at least 21 children, but currently, we are only seeing 19. There are several reasons behind this trend, and I will highlight a few significant and relevant causes: 1. Nepalese working in the Middle East in hot desert conditions are significantly decreasing fertility rates both biologically and socially. 2. Delayed marriage is contributing to a decline in fertility rates. 3. The preference for having only one child is leading to couples being indifferent to having more children. It is particularly concerning when the first chil...