Recent research highlights the significant impact of road infrastructure on fertility rates and child health in rural India. Leveraging data from the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a major road construction initiative launched in 2000, a new study reveals that enhanced access to paved roads correlates with reduced fertility rates, improved child health investments, and lower infant mortality rates.
The study utilizes the variation in road access provided by the PMGSY to explore its effects on demographic trends and child health. By examining differences in road access across districts, researchers found that increased road connectivity directly benefits rural populations by improving access to healthcare facilities and boosting immunisation rates, thereby reducing infant mortality.
Theoretically, the relationship between road construction and fertility is complex. Improved road infrastructure can enhance access to healthcare, potentially decreasing infant mortality and, consequently, reducing fertility as households achieve their desired family size more easily. Conversely, economic improvements driven by better infrastructure might encourage higher fertility rates due to increased household income. However, the study’s findings indicate that the positive impact of road access on healthcare outcomes outweighs potential economic incentives for increased fertility.
The analysis, conducted by Aparajita Dasgupta and colleagues, employs data from the Socioeconomic High-Resolution Rural–Urban Geographic Platform for India (SHRUG) and the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) to assess the effects of road access. The study finds that the introduction of paved roads results in a notable 5% reduction in fertility rates, primarily attributed to a corresponding decline in infant mortality. This reduction in mortality diminishes uncertainty regarding child survival, leading households to opt for fewer children.
Interestingly, despite the overall decline in fertility, there was no significant change in contraceptive use, a common mechanism observed in other infrastructure interventions such as electrification and media exposure.
The findings underscore the broader social benefits of road infrastructure beyond mere connectivity. Improved road access not only facilitates better healthcare delivery but also contributes to enhanced educational and economic outcomes over time. The reduction in infant mortality and increased investment in child health suggest that rural road development can accelerate demographic transition and contribute to long-term socio-economic progress.
In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that expanding road infrastructure in rural areas yields significant positive externalities for child health and fertility rates. This supports the notion that improving physical infrastructure can play a crucial role in advancing public health and fostering economic development.
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