Changes in Mortality in Pakistan 1960-88

The relatively high levels of mortality in Pakistan comparedto the rest of the Asian region, particularly countries like Sri Lankaand China, have kept population growth rates in check. However, on theother hand, persistently high levels of infant-child mortality are morethan often argued to be a strong factor working against a fertilitydecline in Pakistan. It is without doubt that bringing about furthermortality declines is most definitely desirable and government policyhas addressed this issue. However, the major thrust of official effortin the past few decades has been towards the curtailment of highfertility levels.