Expansion in access to public infrastructure can have varied, microlevel impacts. In this paper, we use a discrete and quasi-random change in the access to paved roads through a large-scale rural road construction program in India to study how road access impacts fertility decisions and investments in child health. We find that increased access to paved roads at the district level decreases fertility, improves investments in children, and lowers infant mortality. We also provide evidence that highlights the mechanisms that drive this effect. First, we show that local roads improve access to health care facilities and raise immunization rates, which reduces infant mortality. Then, we demonstrate that last-mile road connectivity has contrasting effects on employment across gender. Overall, the evidence suggests that rural roads can help accelerate demographic transition through their effects on fertility and infant mortality.

中文翻译：

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印度农村地区的道路通达、生育率和儿童健康

扩大公共基础设施的使用范围可能会产生各种微观层面的影响。在本文中，我们通过印度的大规模农村道路建设计划，利用铺装道路的离散和准随机变化来研究道路通达如何影响生育决策和儿童健康投资。我们发现，增加地区一级铺设道路的通行率会降低生育率，增加对儿童的投资，并降低婴儿死亡率。我们还提供了证据来强调驱动这种效应的机制。首先，我们表明当地道路改善了医疗保健设施的使用并提高了免疫率，从而降低了婴儿死亡率。然后，我们证明最后一英里的道路连通性对不同性别的就业具有不同的影响。总体而言，证据表明，农村道路可以通过影响生育率和婴儿死亡率来帮助加速人口转型。