Unequal Geographies of Opportunity: Spatial Divides in Education, Work, and Living Conditions Across India

Abstract

CSpatial inequality is a big problem in India as the level of education, employment, access to digital resources, access to basic household amenities in India vary significantly across the regions. To explore geographical disparities in opportunity, secondary data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) statewise factsheets from 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) has been used in this study. Educational opportunity was measured by literacy and attainment of 10 years of schooling; and women’s paid work measured economic participation. Access to electricity, improved drinking water, sanitation, and cooking fuel were used to measure living conditions, while internet connection, banking, and mobile phone usage as well as property ownership were used as supporting indicators. Analytical tools used were descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and comparison of the rural–urban gaps. There was a significant variation across states in school attendance, employment of women, access to sanitary facilities and access to clean fuels. Schooling was positively associated with internet use, sanitation and clean cooking fuel for women, but had a weak association with paid work. There were significant rural-urban differences in access to clean cooking fuel, the internet, and sustained schooling, but no differences in paid work. These trends reveal longstanding gaps in social advancement and economic integration. The results show that opportunity in India is multi-faceted and geographically uneven, and that region-specific interventions are needed to comprehensively tackle educational, digital, infrastructural and employment disadvantage.