Infant mortality rates and female literacy rates in SADC countries: An empirical analysis

Clement Moyo (), Thando Mkhombo, Tafadzwa Chitenderu () and Mirada Nach ()
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Tafadzwa Chitenderu: Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University
Mirada Nach: Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University

No 1828, Working Papers from Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University

Abstract: Over the years there has been a worldwide decline is infant mortality rates which has been driven by improvements in healthcare, female literacy rates and higher incomes. However, mortality rates in a number of developing countries are still alarmingly high due to slow progress in the enhancement of female literacy rates, slow income growth, inadequate public expenditure on health. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of female literacy rates on infant mortality rates in selected SADC countries. The ARDL technique was employed for the empirical analysis and the results support the notion that higher female literacy rates reduce infant mortality rates. Furthermore, the results showed that incomes have the largest effect on mortality rates in SADC countries. Therefore, the implementation of policies that boost income levels such as economic growth and higher education expenditures, is vital for further reductions in mortality rates.

Keywords: Mortality rates; Female literacy; ARDL; PMG. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C22 C23 I12 I21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23 pages
Date: 2018-08
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