An analysis of inequality in physical health status of women in India: 2015‒2021

Abstract

Objective

We examine how inequality in women’s health has changed in India and its major states between 2015 and 2021. We also attempt to identify the sources of any change in this inequality using a decomposition analysis. In order to suggest suitable policies for reducing this inequality, we attempt to identify the factors that are strongly associated with it.

Methods

We construct an index of women’s health from five indicators using the principal component analysis. Based on this index we measure inequality in women’s health using the coefficient of variation and the Theil index. To identify the sources of change in this inequality, we apply Theil decomposition technique.

Results

We find that inequality in women’s health has increased significantly in India between 2015 and 2021. During this period, this inequality has increased significantly in six states, while it has decreased significantly in five states. The decomposition analysis suggests that the increase in this inequality between 2015 and 2021 has been driven by an increase in interstate inequality. We also find a strong positive association between inequality in women’s health and inequality in public health amenities and social development.

Conclusion

We suggest that for reducing inequality in women’s health in developing countries like India, policies should focus on eliminating disparities in income, female education and provision of public health amenities.