The Determinants of Infant and Child Mortality in Korea: 1955-1973

In both urban and rural areas, mother's education is the most important determinant of infant mortality, maternal age and number of rooms used are the main determinants of child mortality. Previous birth interval and survival of the previous birth also significantly affect infant mortality and previous birth interval child mortality in both urban and rural areas. For both infant and child mortality previous birth interval and number of rooms used are the most general factors in urban areas; previous birth interval and mother's education in rural areas. Infant mortality is also significantly affected by sex of the child and the number of rooms used in urban areas, and by birth order in rural areas. Significant determinants of child mortality are birth order in urban areas but mother's education in rural areas. Thus, in summary, demographic factors are relatively more important for infant mortality in the rural areas and for child mortality in the urban areas; in contrast, socioeconomic factors play a role for infant mortality in urban areas and for child mortality in rural areas.