Dercon, S., Krishnan, P. and Krutikova, S.

Changes in living standards in villages in India 1975-2006

Journal of Development Studies

(2013)

Abstract: We study changes in living conditions using longitudinal data covering 30 years in six villages in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, initially surveyed during 1975–1984, and resurveyed in recent years, as part of the ICRISAT Village Level Studies. Monetary welfare indicators (such as incomes, assets, consumption and poverty) and non-monetary indicators of well-being (such as basic literacy, education, health and subjective well-being) have improved considerably. Consumption growth is linked to literacy and education at baseline. Other assets, such as land, have a neglible impact, suggesting that labour and human capital have been instrumental for growth in these villages.Change involved a large increase in various off-farm activities.

Author links: Pramila Krishnan  

Publisher's Link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220388.2013.819423#.UkLVEIbEOGM