IMPACT OF FEMALE LITERACY ON IMR, CBR & TFR IN INDIA

Literacy and Education are the key variables for economic development. Education and better literacy level have a positive impact on the health parameters, higher productivity, higher income, human freedom, increased participation in community life etc. In India it has been found out that illiterate women face more deprivation in life than literates. They have high levels of fertility rate and also a high level of mortality rate. Different studies found out that infant mortality rate and crude birth rate are inversely related to mother’s educational level. In this Study We have attempted to understand the nature of this inverse relationship. Data on infant mortality rate (IMR), crude birth rate (CBR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and the female literacy on 24 Indian states were collected. The change in the female literacy rate, Crude Birth Rate, Total Fertilty Rate and the IMR between consecutive censuses was determined. The analysis suggests that female literacy is more effective in reducing Infant Mortality Rate as well as Crude Birth Rate and Total Fertility Rate