Possible Reasons for Retardation in Fertility Change in South Asia ([Dagger]) (Population Dynamics) (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Fertility change has been slow and, in most instances, has not occurred at all in South Asia. This is inspite of the decline in mortality which occurred mostly in the 1950s, in the Indian subcontinent [ESCAP (1985)]. Similar fertility declines have not been noted in the region. In fact South Asia is now singled out as a region where, despite official anti-natalist policies, fertility has been especially resistant to forces of change. South Asia is portraying its own particular form of demographic transition, quite distinctly different from Europe, South East Asia and Latin America, and this paper is an attempt to point out some of its distinguishing features.