Kerala’s Rising Maternal Mortality Ratio
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Source: This post on Kerala’s Rising Maternal Mortality Ratio has been created based on article “The price of success – Kerala’s rising maternal mortality ratio is not yet a cause for concernpublished in The Hindu on 22nd January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 3- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: The article discusses the implications of demographic transitions, with a focus on Kerala’s rising maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and its relation to broader demographic trends.

Why is Kerala experiencing a rise in maternal mortality despite its achievements?

  1. Kerala, known for its exemplary progress in demographic transition, has seen a rise in its maternal mortality ratio (MMR).
  2. This increase is attributed to the declining fertility rate, which reduces the number of live births.
  3. Consequently, even a small number of maternal deaths appears significant when measured per 1,00,000 live births, distorting the MMR.

What milestones has Kerala achieved in demographic transition?

  1. Kerala was the first Indian state to reach the replacement-level fertility rate (TFR of 2.1) in 1987-88, ensuring that the population size remains stable across generations.
  2. This achievement set the stage for other southern states, which achieved this milestone by the mid-2000s.

What is demographic transition, and what are its phases?

Demographic transition describes the historical shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates, driven by advancements in education, economic development, and technology. It occurs in four phases:

  1. Stable population (high birth and death rates).
  2. Rapid population growth (declining death rates while birth rates remain high).
  3. Population leveling out (declining birth rates).
  4. Population decline (low birth and death rates).

How does Kerala’s demographic transition compare globally?

  1. Kerala’s demographic pattern mirrors that of developed nations like South Korea, where fertility rates have dropped significantly.
  2. Despite efforts such as incentivizing childbirth, these nations struggle to revive population growth, indicating the irreversible nature of advanced demographic transitions.

What challenges arise from demographic transitions?

Demographic transitions lead to long-term consequences, such as:

  • A declining working-age population and an increasing elderly population, resulting in higher dependency ratios.
  • Strain on public resources, particularly healthcare and social support systems.
  • Economic challenges due to a shrinking labor force.

What are the broader implications for Kerala and similar regions?

Kerala, like other regions experiencing advanced demographic transitions, must prepare for the economic and societal effects of an aging population. Key measures include:

  • Strengthening public finances to manage rising healthcare costs.
  • Expanding social support systems for the elderly.
  • Promoting equal household participation to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.

How should governments respond to these transitions?

Governments must focus on:

  • Improving healthcare financing to address the needs of an aging population.
  • Creating policies that support gender equality in caregiving and encourage workforce participation.
  • Proactively addressing the long-term effects of population decline to ensure sustainable development.

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