Infant Mortality in the Shadrinsky Uyezd in the Early 20Th Century: the Role of Religious Factors

Abstract

The paper analyses the influence of religious factors on infant mortality in the Shadrinsky uyezd of the Perm governorate in the early 20th century. The Shadrinsky Uyezd was characterized by its relative natural, climatic and economic homogeneity and poorly developed social infrastructure for children. Based on ethno-religious and legal factors, the population of the uyezd was divided into Orthodox Russian former state peasants and Bashkir-Meshcheryak landowners/landless Muslims employed in agriculture. According to the research results, all other factors equal, Muslim religious precepts had a tremendous impact on the survival of children: the difference in infant mortality rates between confessional groups was more than 200 ‰.