More often doesn't mean better

Study across districts shows higher prosperity doesn't necessarily translate to better quality of life; North India low on female security index

Faster economic growth in India has not automatically translated into a better quality of life for everybody.

Many districts in Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Punjab saw a relative decline in economic well-being during 2007-10, despite higher GDP growth. In contrast, the southern states, West Bengal and Odisha reported a marked improvement in the well-being index (WBI), in line with higher economic growth. (WELL-BEING INDEX 2010)

WBI measures household ability to spend on eight key categories of goods and services -" home amenities, kitchen facilities, education, hygiene, entertainment, communication, transportation and healthcare. Using household expenditure data from the National Sample Survey Organisation and census figures, the Tata Strategic Management Group has ranked all 588 districts in the country on WBI. According to it, most districts in North and South India are rated as average or better and most of Central and East India are average or worse off.

The contrast between economic prosperity and the well-being and status of women is starker. There is a north/south divide, with most districts in North India reporting a lower female security index (FSI), despite ranking higher on WBI. Districts in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, West UP and North Rajasthan have the worst rankings. Districts in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Mizoram and Meghalaya come on top. FSI is based on a district ranking following three parameters -" gender ratios in the 0-6 age group, incidence of rape and dowry deaths. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab showed a decline in their FSI. Among the top eight cities, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata are best for women; Delhi,

 

Ahmedabad and Mumbai have the worst FSI in that order.