Multidimensional Poverty and Longevity in India

Manisha Dubey, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

This study examines the inequalities in longevity (life expectancy at birth) by multidimensional poverty in India and states. In this paper multidimensional poverty and corresponding life expectancy has been calculated using NFHS-1 (1992-93) and NFHS-3 (2005-06) data. The Brass method (Palloni-Heligman version of Brass method) which is based on average children ever born and children surviving is used to generate life expectancy at birth for India and major states. Results show that 8% households were below poverty line in 1992-93 which reduced to 4% in 2005-06 with the corresponding life expectancy of 60 and 63 years respectively. Relative improvement in life expectancy during 1992-2006 is lowest among the persons belonging to the multidimensional poor household. Implying that highest achievement in population health, life expectancy, could be achieved through the improvement in all the three dimensions health, education and economic condition of the poorest section of the society.