Inequality in length of life in India: an empirical analysis

We examine the trends in inequality in length of life in India and fifteen of its selected states during the last three decades. We also estimate the contribution of mortality change in different age groups to the overall change in inequality in length of life in India and selected states of India. We assess the Gini coefficient, life disparity, and threshold age to examine the inequality. Finally, we decompose the change in the Gini coefficient into contributions of mortality change in different age groups. In Indian males, the life expectancy at birth increased by about 8 years between 1981 and 2011. The life disparity decreased by 3.6 years and the threshold age increased by 5.5 years during this period. In Indian females, the life expectancy increased by about 12 years, the life disparity reduced by 5.2 years, and the threshold age increased by 7.2 years. Mortality changes in 0-1 contributed most to the decline in Gini between 1981 and 2011 for males, females, and urban residents. Further, mortality change in 1-4 contributed most to the decrease in Gini in rural residents. Changes in various measures of mortality pattern differ markedly between males and females, urban-rural residents, and states of India.