Is India really overpopulated — or have we been told the wrong story?

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, joins Cyrus Broacha to unpack one of the biggest myths in Indian public discourse: that “too many people” are the root of all problems.

From fertility data and census projections to the Hindu–Muslim population debate, women’s education, sterilisation myths, ageing society, and the real meaning of demographic dividend — this episode dives deep into facts, governance, and uncomfortable truths.

They also discuss:


Why women want fewer children


Why education is the best contraceptive


Why Muslim fertility rates are declining


Why South India shouldn’t be “punished” for doing well


The 1984 riots & administrative failure


Why men avoid sterilisation


The coming “Silver Dividend”


LGBTQ rights and state interference

A sharp, data-driven and surprisingly candid conversation on India’s future.

Is India really overpopulated &mdash; or have we been told the wrong story?
Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, joins Cyrus Broacha to unpack one of the biggest myths in Indian public discourse: that &ldquo;too many people&rdquo; are the root of all problems.
From fertility data and census projections to the Hindu&ndash;Muslim population debate, women&rsquo;s education, sterilisation myths, ageing society, and the real meaning of demographic dividend &mdash; this episode dives deep into facts, governance, and uncomfortable truths.
They also discuss:
<ul data-start="2383" data-end="2697">
<li data-start="2383" data-end="2414">
Why women want fewer children
</li>
<li data-start="2415" data-end="2456">
Why education is the best contraceptive
</li>
<li data-start="2457" data-end="2499">
Why Muslim fertility rates are declining
</li>
<li data-start="2500" data-end="2556">
Why South India shouldn&rsquo;t be &ldquo;punished&rdquo; for doing well
</li>
<li data-start="2557" data-end="2598">
The 1984 riots &amp; administrative failure
</li>
<li data-start="2599" data-end="2628">
Why men avoid sterilisation
</li>
<li data-start="2629" data-end="2659">
The coming &ldquo;Silver Dividend&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="2660" data-end="2697">
LGBTQ rights and state interference
</li>
</ul>
A sharp, data-driven and surprisingly candid conversation on India&rsquo;s future.

Broadcasting through the week with a rotating panel of guests, Cyrus Says is the definitive show on life in urban India, politics, sports, civic sense, traffic, kids, food, and everything that matters. Mostly.

Broadcasting through the week with a rotating panel of guests, Cyrus Says is the definitive show on life in urban India, politics, sports, civic sense, traffic, kids, food, and everything that matters. Mostly.