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Social disadvantage, economic inequality, and life expectancy in nine Indian states

Author

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  • Sangita Vyas

    (a Department of Economics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712;; b Research Institute for Compassionate Economics, Amston, CT 06231;)

  • Payal Hathi

    (b Research Institute for Compassionate Economics, Amston, CT 06231;; c Department of Demography, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;; d Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;)

  • Aashish Gupta

    (b Research Institute for Compassionate Economics, Amston, CT 06231;; e Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138)

Abstract

India is one of the most hierarchical societies in the world. Because vital statistics are incomplete, mortality disparities are not quantified. Using survey data on more than 20 million individuals from nine Indian states representing about half of India’s population, we estimate and decompose life expectancy differences between higher-caste Hindus, comprising other backward classes and high castes, and three marginalized social groups: Adivasis (indigenous peoples), Dalits (oppressed castes), and Muslims. The three marginalized groups experience large disadvantages in life expectancy at birth relative to higher-caste Hindus. Economic status explains less than half of these gaps. These large disparities underscore parallels between diverse systems of discrimination akin to racism. They highlight the global significance of addressing social inequality in India.

Suggested Citation

  • Sangita Vyas & Payal Hathi & Aashish Gupta, 2022. "Social disadvantage, economic inequality, and life expectancy in nine Indian states," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(10), pages 2109226119-, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2109226119
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