Effect of Religion and Education on Fertility in the EAG States in India

Abstract

The study seeks to explore the relationship between the level of education of women and its influence on the fertility in Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. In addition, the interplay of education and fertility is further affected by religion, which acts as the determinants of fertility. The birth intervals, age at first birth, desire for another child are major determinants of fertility which are taken into consideration for the study. It is pertinent to understand how the level of education and religion of an individual affects the fertility and to what extent. The broader objective of the study is to determine the association between education, religion, and fertility and to further examine the proximate factors that influence the fertility of a woman. The study utilizes the Demographic and Health Surveys, that includes basic information about the household and women in the childbearing ages. This study focuses on the survey of women in reproductive age which would provide active information about fertility. The population defined in the study are the north Indian states that are categorized as EAG (Empowered Action Group) states. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the variation in the relationship between fertility and individual and state-level characteristics.