Transition from high to replacement-level fertility in a Kerala village

This paper uses a micro-approach to examine the motivation and processes of rapid fertility decline in a Kerala village. Fertility declined in the village substantially during the 1970s and continued to decline to reach replacement level at the time of study. The proximate determinants are postponement of marriage and extensive use of contraceptives. However, the changes in these factors were the result of changing socio-economic conditions. At the time of study the singulate age at marriage was 29 years for males and 23 years for females, higher than elsewhere in India. Delayed age at marriage was a combined effect of favourable attitudes to education and economic changes. Smaller families became advantageous because of decreasing agricultural opportunities, expanded education and mortality decline. Contraceptives were available with the implementation of the family planning program. Higher use of contraceptives can be attributed to favourable conditions resulting from socio-economic changes.