Temporal, Spatial and Socioeconomic Dimensions of Hindu–Muslim Differences in Contraception Use in India

The influence of religious perspectives on contraceptive use is a well-acknowledged aspect of family-planning policy and public health research. However, literature specifically addressing Hindu–Muslim differences in contraceptive trends, patterns, and socioeconomic factors in India is limited. This chapter explores the disparities in contraceptive use, evolving patterns, and socioeconomic correlations between Hindus and Muslims in India. It utilizes data from the first four rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted in 1992–1993, 1998–1999, 2005–2006, and 2015–2016. The analysis employs descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression to derive this chapter’s findings. The results indicate that the gap in contraceptive use between Hindus and Muslims in India is gradually narrowing. However, the use of contraceptives among Muslims has been found to be significantly low compared to that of Hindus in states like Kerala, Bihar, and West Bengal. Both absolute progress and relative progress on contraceptive use among Muslims were found in most of the states. The contraceptive use among Muslims significantly varies with their socioeconomic backgrounds. The women education and wealth status are found to be strong socioeconomic correlates of contraceptive use among Muslim women. The findings of this chapter suggest that poor socioeconomic conditions are responsible for the low rate of contraceptive use in India, irrespective of religion. New policies for several vulnerable groups and state-specific interventions are needed to overcome the low rate of contraceptive use among women in India.