Neonatal Death in India: Birth Order in a Context of Maternal Undernutrition

Abstract We document a novel fact about neonatal death, or death in the first month of life. Globally, mortality is disproportionately concentrated India. identify large effect birth order on that unique to India: later-born siblings have steep survival advantage relative birth-order gradient other developing countries. show India’s high prevalence maternal undernutrition and its correlation with age childbearing can explain this pattern. find Indian mothers exit underweight body mass range at an internationally comparatively rate as they progress through careers.