Economic condition and fertility: Is there a relationship?

Abstract

Using data from the National Family Health Survey this paper examines the relationship between economic condition and fertility in India. An attempt has also been made to examine the linkage among couples with varying levels of education. The four states examined were Punjab Maharashtra Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Results suggest that in general with an improvement in economic condition the fertility tends to decline. However among the four states investigated only Punjab displays the expected negative association between living standard and fertility change. This negative association is also seen in the other three states though to a lesser extent compared to Punjab and it is more pronounced in the educated group. In the case of Kerala the attitudes of couples toward ideal family size have not at all been influenced by the living standard. Overall it is noted that standard of living is not always sufficient to understand the complex mechanism of fertility decline. Other social factors are also at work which directly or indirectly influence the couples decision on family size.

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