Education as a determinant of fertility: a case study of Kullu Town
Chandna, R.C.; Sharma, D.
Population Geography a Journal of the Association of Population Geographers of India 9(1-2): 45-55
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-5331 PMID: 12179029 Document Number: 360641
Using a sample of 885 females (1/2 of all married women of reproductive age), this study examines the role of education as a determinant of fertility among couples in Kullu town of Himachol Pradesh, India. Of the 885 respondents, only 149 were illiterate. The average family size was 2.88. Findings reveal that 1) the average family size was largest for illiterate respondents (3.57) and for illiterate males (3.76); 2) average family size declined consistently after the middle level of education to 1.29 for post graduate respondents and 2.33 for post graduate males; 3) a negative correlation exists between fertility and education of both husband and wife, with the wife's education having a stronger negative correlation with fertility; and 4) couples with an educational level of matriculation and above have a distinctly smaller family size than those less educated.