Question

Give an account for the high birth rate in India.

Answer 1

Birth rate:

1. The birth rate is also called the natality rate.
2. It is defined as the number of births occurring annually per thousand people in a given population.

Reasons for high birth rate in India:

1. Illiteracy: A major population of India lives in rural areas and is uneducated which makes them unaware of the process of family planning.
2. Religious beliefs: Certain religions followed in India do not advocate the policy of family planning as it is believed that "Children are a blessing of God'.
3. Child labor: The low-income groups of India think of children as their assets as they can be a source of income through child labor.
4. Superstitions: Some people believe that ‘Children are signs of prosperity making them have more children.
5. The desire for a male child: Indian population believes that only a male child can expand the lineage and take care of the older population. Hence in order to have a male child, a number of female children are produced.
6. Lack of recreation: The rural population thinks that children are a source of entertainment and end up producing more children.