| 78 | Part I: Fundamental Concepts
socio-cultural changes which are its by-products. Economic growth
offers an antidote to the growth in population. This brings about an
appreciable decline in the death rate. The death rate declines because
of (i) the greater and more regular availability of food supplies,
(ii) intake of more nutritious and balanced diet, (iii) better control
over diseases and epidemics, (iv) spread of health consciousness,
and (v) availability of life-saving drugs and medicines. Under these
conditions, the death rate declines while the birth-rate continues to
be high. There could be instances where the birth rate may even go
up if there arises during the process of economic growth opportu-
nities for employment of children ...