Exploring the Nexus between Women's Literacy Rates and Family Size: A Case Study of Nepal

Abstract

The literacy rate of a nation serves as a pivotal indicator of its developmental trajectory across the globe . However, in many developing countries, including those in South Asia, a notable gender disparity persists in literacy rates, with women lagging behind men. This study focuses on Nepal, a representative country in this region, utilizing data spanning thr ee decades from the National Population Census (1991 to 2021). The findings reveal a considerable rise in women's literacy rates over the thr ee decade period, marking a noteworthy shift from the substantially low rates observed in 1991. The trend consisten tly ascended in subsequent years 2001, 2011, and 2021 indicating a positive trajectory in female literacy. Crucially, an intriguing relationship emerged between women's literacy rates and family size. Historically, when female literacy rates were considera bly lower, the national average family size tended to be higher. However, with the progressive increase in female literacy rates in recent y ears, a marked shift toward smaller, nuclear family sizes, averaging around four members, was observed. This shift i mplies that literate women exhibit heightened self awareness regarding family planning, influencing the move toward maintaining smaller nuclear families. Notably, while male literacy rates exceeded 50% even three decades prior, solely bolstering male liter acy did not correlate with maintaining nuclear family sizes. The study emphasizes the unique effectiveness of female literacy in shaping and mainta ining the transition toward smaller nuclear family structures. These findings underscore the critical role of women's education in influencing family planning and size, marking a pivotal factor in shaping societal structures and developmental paradigms.