In economic writings on India it is commonplace to describe Indian economic inequality to be relatively low. But is that the real picture?
In support the inequality measure of Gini coefficient (with values of zero for no inequality, and one for extreme inequality) on the basis of NSS consumption data is usually cited. This Gini coefficient in 2004-5 was 0.325, and is indeed lower than in many developing countries including China, and by constant repetition, both in national and international documents and the financial press, this has become part of the folklore about Indian inequality.
in a country like India inequality of opportunity will surely depend on distribution of land, of education, and social identity—a child born in a rural landless adivasi family with very little scope for education will be severely handicapped in her life chances for no fault of her own. Land distribution in India is much more unequal than, say, in China. The Gini coefficient of inequality of land distribution in rural India was 0.62 in 2002; the corresponding figure in China was 0.49 the same year. (This is partly because India has a much larger landless population.)
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Source: Business Standard
In support the inequality measure of Gini coefficient (with values of zero for no inequality, and one for extreme inequality) on the basis of NSS consumption data is usually cited. This Gini coefficient in 2004-5 was 0.325, and is indeed lower than in many developing countries including China, and by constant repetition, both in national and international documents and the financial press, this has become part of the folklore about Indian inequality.
in a country like India inequality of opportunity will surely depend on distribution of land, of education, and social identity—a child born in a rural landless adivasi family with very little scope for education will be severely handicapped in her life chances for no fault of her own. Land distribution in India is much more unequal than, say, in China. The Gini coefficient of inequality of land distribution in rural India was 0.62 in 2002; the corresponding figure in China was 0.49 the same year. (This is partly because India has a much larger landless population.)
share ur views.....
Source: Business Standard
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