Question

What are the reasons of higher birth rate in India?

Hint:

List social, economic and awareness-related causes of India's high birth rate.

Answer 1

Step 1: Socio-cultural reasons:
Early and near-universal marriage, strong son-preference and social/religious sanction for large families push couples towards more children.

Step 2: Economic reasons:
In a largely agrarian, poor economy, children are seen as economic assets (extra hands for farm labour) and as old-age security for parents, encouraging larger families.

Step 3: Health and awareness reasons:
High infant and child mortality historically encouraged 'compensatory' births, while low literacy, especially female literacy, and inadequate spread of family-planning/contraceptive awareness keep fertility high.

Final Answer:
India's higher birth rate stems from early/universal marriage and son-preference, the economic value of children as labour and old-age security, high infant mortality inducing compensatory births, and low awareness/access to family planning.