International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS) Vol. 13, No. 4, December 2024, pp. 1855~1863 ISSN: 2252-8806, DOI: 10.11591/ijphs.v13i4.24364  1855 Journal homepage: http://ijphs.iaescore.com Exploring fertility differentials between tea and ex-tea garden laborers of Assam Lipika Kalita, Hari K. Choudhury Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Guwahati, India Article Info ABSTRACT Article history: Received Dec 14, 2023 Revised Apr 6, 2024 Accepted Apr 24, 2024 Addressing the issue of high fertility rates among tea garden laborers in Assam is critical due to its adverse effects on the health of both mothers and children, diminished investment in human capital, stunted economic growth, and exacerbated environmental challenges. To effectively tackle this challenge, we need to delve into two key questions: What perpetuates high fertility rates, and how can we mitigate them? The solution lies in a comprehensive analysis of the immediate and underlying factors influencing fertility. Fertility is a multifaceted demographic phenomenon influenced by both direct and indirect determinants. In this study, we investigate the impact of various proximate and distant factors on fertility among two groups: The tea garden labor community in Assam and the ex-tea garden labor community, comprising individuals who have transitioned to other forms of employment. Our research identifies significant factors such as wife's age at marriage, breastfeeding duration, educational attainment, family size, duration of married life, child mortality, respondent category, and wife's occupational status that affect fertility levels in Assam's tea garden community. The study's findings indicate the need for implementing targeted family planning and reproductive health education programs within tea garden communities. These programs should offer comprehensive information and resources to assist individuals in making informed decisions regarding family size and reproductive health. Keywords: Distant determinants Fertility patterns Job switching Proximate determinants Tea garden laborers This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. Corresponding Author: Lipika Kalita Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITG) Guwahati 781015, India E-mail: lipika.kalita@iiitg.ac.in 1. INTRODUCTION Assam Tea or Assamica, a native classic black tea matured in the northeast region of India, as a brew has carved a niche for itself not only in the national market but also in the international market and has become the elixir that most Indians thrive on since several ages. The fame and stature of the brew can be gauged by the fact that more than 50% of the country’s total production is from Assam [1], [2]. One of the world’s largest curl, tear, and crush (CTC) Tea Auction Centre is in Assam, exporting to Europe, Middle East and also Egypt, Japan and Israel to name a few. As of today, Assam tea has retained its international standards and commands a significant share in the world market [3]. In production, the Assam Tea industry is only second to China in the world. In fact, China and Assam are the only two regions in the world with native tea plants [4]. However, the tea garden labor community who makes Assam tea happen is amongst the most backward and exploited tribe in India [5]. Worryingly, even after so many years of economic planning in India, multiple childbirths and wife beating, child labor, early marriage, early and quick child bearing, high child and maternal mortality are a common phenomenon and are very pertinent in this community [6] –[9].