Landholding and fertility in India: A review of theoretical and empirical evidence.

GENUS abstract: The relationship between landholdings and fertility is rather complex and there is no unanimity in the conclusions drawn from different studies. This paper carefully reviews the available studies, both theoretical and empirical, on this contested relationship from India. The analysis has been carried out in chronological order to follow the phases of fertility transition particularly in India. The study observed that in a high fertility environment almost all the studies consistently showed a positive association. However, in the course of the transition, the relationship has become complex and is mediated by several other variables. It appears that when coupled with other forms of social and economic development, landholding tends to depress fertility.