In many developing countries, a high infant mortality rate is associated with a high birth rate. The most likely explanation is that families

Assessment: Economics 0455 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Multiple Choice Subject: Economics - 0455

Question 1 Report

In many developing countries, a high infant mortality rate is associated with a high birth rate. The most likely explanation is that families

Answer Details

The correct answer is have more children to ensure that some survive to adulthood.

In countries with high infant mortality, many children die before reaching adulthood due to disease, malnutrition, and inadequate healthcare. Families respond by having more children as a form of insurance, increasing the likelihood that enough children survive to support parents in old age and contribute to the household. This creates a link between high infant mortality and high birth rates. As healthcare improves and infant mortality falls, families gradually have fewer children because more of them survive, contributing to the demographic transition.

The other options describe the opposite relationship or are not the primary explanation. Families preferring fewer children when healthcare is available describes what happens when infant mortality falls. Families are typically well aware of their children. Government payments may exist in some countries but are not the main explanation for this pattern.

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