With a focus on various aspects of Kerala′s demographic transition, contributors to this volume demonstrate that it is not necessary to wait for major changes in the productive sectors of the economy to introduce a successful programme in family planning and maternal and child health. Topics discussed include: the nature of, and the factors underlying, the transition; how Kerala differs from other Indian states; the role played by education, age at marriage and use of contraceptives; the causes and consequences of population aging; and the impact of both internal and external migration.

During the 1990s, child labour has drawn heightened attention from the global community, especially through debates over labour standards and international trade. The debates, however, seem to be driven by political considerations rather than based on a thorough analysis of child labour. Despite a long history of child labour and recent active interest in the issue, the determinants of child labour are still under-researched.