Birth control is getting creative in India – from increasing late night tv (yes to take couples’ minds off procreating) to encouraging women not to marry until they are 30 (when a women’s fertility begins to drop). Whilst these initiatives might not seem very convincing, the Indian government’s latest idea could be a little more tempting. Money. Cash incentives are proving popular in the state of Maharastra where putting off having a child for two years after marriage gets many, especially the rural poor, the equivalent of a decent salary.

Neighbouring China is promoting a baby boom to counter act an ageing population whilst India is trying to draw in the reigns. Here in the UK Theresa Winters is on her 14th pregnancy and her newborn baby (like the others) is likely to be taken into care. At the moment, the state is paying for the well being of her children. Would paying her directly encourage her to stop having babies?

With India set to topple China as the world’s most populous nation, is cash the best way to control the world’s population?