Seeking Explanations for High Levels of Infant Mortality in Pakistan

Here we seek explanations for the relatively high levels of infant mortality in Pakistan compared with those in other countries having middle-level per capita incomes. Data are mainly drawn from the birth histories of 9810 ever-married women interviewed in the Population Labour Force and Migration Survey of 1979. The empirical evidence points to childbearing and childrearing practices, such as spacing, to be more important determinants of mortality than economic factors. Availability of health care is also an important determinant of mortality but parents’ propensity to avail themselves of it may be more critical to child survival.