Helpdesk Report: Education and Fertility in India

Abstract

Query What evidence exists that draws links between secondary education (reproductive/child health/female empowerment) and reduced fertility in India, and more broadly in Bangladesh / Asia? Overview Reviews of regional and global studies suggest that there is little or conflicting evidence that there is a systematic relationship between basic education and reduced fertility. However, there is a significant correlation between secondary education for women and a reduced fertility rate. Steep fertility decline often occurs when a woman has had 7 or more years of education. In studies specific to India, female education has a negative and significant effect on the fertility rate, but there are complex routes to India's demographic transition