Change in fertility behaviour among literate and illiterate women in Madhya Pradesh

Though the fertility transition has taken place in almost every state, the population of India is increasing fast. During 2001-11, about 181 Millions of people were added to the country. Madhya Pradesh is second in terms of its geographical spread (308,244 sq. km.) and the total population is 72,597,565 according to 2011 census. This paper is attempted to examine the change in proximate determinants of fertility, age at marriage, induced abortion, contraceptive use and post-partum amenorrhea, among literate and illiterate women in Madhya Pradesh. The study used data from various sources such as the Sample Registration System (SRS), the National Family health surveys (NFHS1 and NFHS 3), District Level Household Surveys (DLHS 1, DLHS2 and DLHS 3) and census of India. The Bongaarts model is used to examine the contribution of proximate determinants on fertility. It was found that a 19.4% reduction in TFR was observed during 2001 to 2010. However, marriage contributed 1% increase with respect to change in TFR among illiterate women compared to 3% decline among literate women. Contraceptive use has contributed 27% decline in TFR among illiterate women compared to 12% among literate women. Induced abortion has contributed 1% increase with respect to change in TFR among illiterate women compared to 4% increase among literate women.