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Reducing Poverty and Inequality in India: Has Liberalization Helped?

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  • Raghbendra Jha

Abstract

This study examines the empirical relationship among inequality, poverty and economic growth in India. Using data on consumption from the 13th to the 53rd Rounds of the National Sample Survey, the author computes, for both rural and urban sectors, the Gini coefficient and three popular measures of poverty. The observed changes in inequality and poverty are explained in terms of the behaviour of key macroeconomic aggregates. A sharp rise in rural and, particularly, urban inequality and only a marginal decline in poverty have characterized the post-reform period.

Suggested Citation

  • Raghbendra Jha, 2000. "Reducing Poverty and Inequality in India: Has Liberalization Helped?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2000-204, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2000-204
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic development; Economic policy; Equality and inequality; Household survey; Poverty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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