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Urbanization and the South Asian Enigma: A Case Study of India

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  • Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis
  • K. S. James

Abstract

South Asia has the highest rate of child malnutrition in the world, despite rapid economic growth compared to other regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Known as the 'South Asian enigma' this feature is partly attributed to the low status of women in South Asian societies. This paper examines this tenet in the context of India, with particular emphasis on possible differences between rural and urban scenarios. The empirical evidence reveals some important differences, which are relevant for policies relating to women's empowerment against a backdrop of rapid urbanization.

Suggested Citation

  • Basudeb Guha-Khasnobis & K. S. James, 2010. "Urbanization and the South Asian Enigma: A Case Study of India," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2010-037, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2010-037
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    Cited by:

    1. David Mayer-Foulkes, 2011. "Urbanization as a Fundamental Cause of Development," Working Papers DTE 501, CIDE, División de Economía.
    2. Palanisamy, Venkatesh & Vellaichamy, Sangeetha & Sendhil, R & Jha, Girish Kumar, 2021. "Does Food Security Influence the Nutritional Status in India? Empirical Evidences from State-Level Cross Sectional Study," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315230, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Headey, Derek & Chiu, Alice & Kadiyala, Suneetha, 2011. "Agriculture's role in the Indian enigma: Help or hindrance to the undernutrition crisis?," IFPRI discussion papers 1085, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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