Demography: female education and fertility: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Demography: female education and fertility

Sample item

Which change in the female population is most consistently associated with a fall in both fertility and infant mortality in demographic studies?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Improved female literacy and education

Female education is among the strongest determinants of lower fertility and infant mortality, through later marriage, greater use of contraception and better child care. Early marriage and larger households are linked to higher fertility.

Option by option

  • A. Improved female literacy and education (correct)

    Correct. Female education lowers both fertility and infant mortality.

  • B. Earlier age at marriage

    Earlier marriage lengthens the reproductive span and increases fertility.

  • C. Higher proportion of women in agriculture

    Agricultural work often values more children for labour and is not linked to a fall in fertility.

  • D. Increase in household size

    Larger households are associated with higher fertility.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Improved female literacy and education. Female education is among the strongest determinants of lower fertility and infant mortality, through later marriage, greater use of contraception and better child care.

Why is "Earlier age at marriage" not the answer?

Earlier marriage lengthens the reproductive span and increases fertility.

Why is "Higher proportion of women in agriculture" not the answer?

Agricultural work often values more children for labour and is not linked to a fall in fertility.

Why is "Increase in household size" not the answer?

Larger households are associated with higher fertility.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography: female education and fertility in PSM. Early marriage and larger households are linked to higher fertility.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Demography: female education and fertility?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.