On the Determinants of Infant Mortality in Underdeveloped Countries

Infant mortality has fallen rapidly in underdeveloped countries in the period since World War II. There is accumulating evidence, however, that this unprecedented decline was arrested in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hence it is of critical importance to enquire into the determinants of infant mortality in these countries, in order to discover ways of reducing the enormous human suffering caused by the high rates of mortality which continue to prevail. Furthermore, such an understanding might facilitate a reduction in fertility, since it is widely accepted that a fall in infant mortality will lead ultimately to lower fertility .