Articles by S Irudaya Rajan

This paper examines trends and estimated sex ratio at birth (SRB) for India and child mortality (q5) risk, 1981 and 1991, and discusses how the 2001 Census results are foreshadowed. Earlier state-level (rural vs urban) analyses are extended to present these data at the district level in the form of maps. Multivariate statistical analyses exploring social and economic covariates that affect the likelihood of gender bias in death (female disadvantage in child mortality risk) have been conducted. The female disadvantage is evident in birth and death spread over India in the decade 1981-1991. Though infant and child mortality levels fell for girls and boys, gender differences persisted, and penetrated the hitherto egalitarian south. Masculine SRB that were seen only in urban areas of the north-west in 1981 have spread to urban areas of many northern states in 1991. Multivariate analyses suggest that between 1981- 1991, women's status variables become less associated with reduced gender bias. Modernisation variables suggest less association with gender bias, or that a substitution of pre-natal for post-natal elimination of unwanted daughters may be occurring. These findings are situated in the literature on gender, education, paid work participation, and marriage system changes in India.

Over the last few decades, both fertility and mortality rates have been falling, but the decline of mortality was strong enough to offset the fall in fertility rates. The 2001 Census, however, gives a clear indication that India is passing through the last phase of fertility transition, moving towards moderate to low fertility. Fertility declines have not, however, been uniform across the country and the differential rates are mainly responsible for the differentials in population growth rates across states and union territories.

The National Social Assistance Scheme and its components where they have been effectively introduced has gone a long way towards improving the lot of the poor elderly. However, there are several problems in the implementation of the schemes such as accurate identification of the beneficiaries and therefore a correct assessment of the financial burden on the governments. The scheme needs some urgent revamp.

While ageing of the population represents demographic achievements in lowering birth and death rates, it also poses challenges in care of the elderly. The experience of Kerala is instructive for the rest of India as Kerala is a few years ahead on the demographic path. This article analyses data on ageing, gender differentials in ageing and widowhood.

Kerala has recorded declining infant mortality, a high stillbirth rate and a high proportion of infant deaths below one week. This presents a paradox which needs careful investigation.