• Nabajit Dev Adhikary

The study of human fertility occupies a central position in the study of population; as it is a positive force in population dynamics. Regional variation patterns in the demographic transition of fertility decline and association of the processes with demographic, transition of fertility decline and association of the processes with demographic, Socio-economic, cultural and diffusion process of knowledge have received much attention in the demographic research of recent years. India, as a country of striking demographic diversity, with enormous variations in the conditions and mechanisms of fertility transition offer a rich ground for these analyses. Religious affiliation as a determinant of demographic behaviour was once at the forefront of demographic research especially in studies of differential fertility. An argument of the “particularized theology” says that it is very essence of religion that influences fertility, irrespective of any socio- economic or demographic factors. On the other hand, others argue that fertility differential are the outcome of differences in the socio-economic characteristics of the members of different religious groups. Religion is considered to be an important variable affecting the desires, expectations and experiences of fertility through its philosophical content and in terms of the socio-economic attributes. The level and patterns of fertility vary considerably in various religious groups of the same population. The fertility differentials by religion have been found in various studies (Tomas Frejka and Charles F. Westoff,2006, Newman Lareen A.,2006) conducted in different parts of the world. The studies in the west revealed that the fertility of Catholics is higher than that of non- Catholics in almost every country. It is also evident that the fertility differentials by religion have been in the post baby -boom period especially between catholic and non- Catholic population in the United States, Canada and Australia. This is due to the socio-economic development and modification in the religious sanctions relating to the ideology and practice of birth control and the weakening of the influence of religious doctrine and tradition.

Demographic Behaviour and its Determinants. Fertility differential by religion--A case study in Barpeta District of Assam.

"Demographic Behaviour and its Determinants. Fertility differential by religion--A case study in Barpeta District of Assam.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 1, page no.g99-g110, January-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2201620.pdf

"Demographic Behaviour and its Determinants. Fertility differential by religion--A case study in Barpeta District of Assam.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 1, page no. ppg99-g110, January-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2201620.pdf