Abstract from Report
This report’s objective is to develop the evidence base for policymaking in relation to poverty reduction. It produces a diagnosis of the broad nature of the poverty problem and its trends in India, focusing on both consumption poverty and human development outcomes. It also includes attention in greater depth to three pathways important to inclusive growth and poverty reduction This report shows that urban growth, which has increasingly outpaced growth in rural areas, has helped to reduce poverty for urban residents directly. In addition, the evidence appears of a much stronger link from urban economic growth to rural poverty reduction. Stronger links with rural poverty are due to a more integrated economy. Urban areas are a demand hub for rural producers, as well as a source of employment for the rural labor force. They are aiding the transformation of the rural economy out of agriculture. In urban areas, it is small and medium-sized towns, rather than large cities, that appear to demonstrate the strongest urban-rural growth links. Urban growth also stimulates rural-urban migration. But although some increase in such migration has occurred over time, migration levels in India remain relatively low compared to other countries.
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PERSPECTIVES ON POVERTY IN INDIA REPORT: STYLIZED FACTS FROM SURVEY DATA
Contents Overview
India’s Poverty Challenge Poverty on the Decline City Size Matters: Urban Growth and Poverty A Casual Transformation: Rural Nonfarm Employment Beyond Consumption: Toward Health and Education for All, Haltingly Rising Inequality: Cause for Concern? Social Exclusion: Who Is Being Left Behind? Concluding Remarks Notes References
1. Consumption Poverty And Growth
Consumption Poverty: Trends and Patterns Has Poverty Become Less Responsive to Economic Growth? Changing Drivers of Poverty Reduction Thinking beyond the “Official” Poor Notes References
2. Urban Growth And Poverty In Towns Of Different Sizes
Introduction Trends at the National and the State Level Poverty in Towns of Different Sizes Urban Agglomeration and Poverty Reduction Urban Growth Is a Source of Rural Poverty Reduction Implications for Policy Notes References
3. A Casual Transformation: The Growing Rural Nonfarm Sector
India’s Rural Transformation: In Slow Motion but Picking Up Speed The Casualization of Nonfarm Work Who Gets What Job? Does Nonfarm Employment Reach the Poor? The Impact of the Nonfarm Sector on Rural Poverty: A Regression Analysis Why Isn’t the Nonfarm Sector Growing Faster? Notes References
4. Beyond Consumption Poverty: Nutrition, Health, and Education
Nutrition Outcomes: Short, Thin, and Wasted Health Outcomes: Better but Not Well Education Outcomes: In School, but Not Learning Very Much The Need for Systemic Reform Notes References
5. Rising Inequality: A Cause for Concern?
Inequality Dynamics at the All-India Level Inequality at the Local Level in the Three States The Structure of Indian Inequality Notes References
6. Social Exclusion: Who Is Being Left Behind?
Exclusion by Caste Exclusion by Tribal Identity Exclusion by Gender Epilogue Notes References
