The correct answer is: a) High fertility rates.
Fertility rate is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime if she were to experience the exact current age-specific fertility rates through her lifetime.
Punjab has one of the highest fertility rates in India, with an average of 2.3 children per woman. This is significantly higher than the national average of 2.2 children per woman.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Punjab’s high fertility rate. One factor is the strong cultural emphasis on having children. In Punjab, having children is seen as a sign of wealth and status. It is also seen as a way to ensure that one’s family will be taken care of in old age.
Another factor that contributes to Punjab’s high fertility rate is the lack of access to family planning services. In rural areas, in particular, there are often few or no family planning clinics available. This makes it difficult for women to access the contraception they need to control their fertility.
Finally, the high poverty rate in Punjab also contributes to the high fertility rate. Women in poor households are more likely to have large families because they see children as a source of income and support.
The high fertility rate in Punjab is a major challenge for the state. It puts a strain on the economy and infrastructure, and it contributes to social problems such as poverty and unemployment. The government of Punjab is working to address the issue of high fertility, but it is a complex problem that will take time to solve.
Improved healthcare, in-migration, and low mortality rates are all factors that can contribute to population growth, but they are not the main factors in Punjab’s case.