Drawing Buckets from Well-being

Context: While measuring the well-being of individuals is hard to determine, an analysis based on India Human Development Survey, 2015 has isolated various factors which can help in its determination. 

Analysis of variation in subjective well-being in India:

• On the basis of age: There is an inverted-U-shaped relationship between well-being and age – 

• • • At 20-25 years: there is a low probability of being well-off due to career struggles, earning exceeding family requirements.
    • At 40-45 years: The probability of well-being is high due to savings in middle age.
    • After 65 years: The probability of well-being is low due to chronic diseases, abuse by family members and sense of isolation and loneliness.

• On the basis of wealth: The wealthier a person or household is, the more likely they are expected to be better-off.

• On the basis of castes: 

• Brahmins are more likely to be better off than the Dalits and Adivasis but are at a similar levels relative to the Other Backward Castes (OBC).
• Surprisingly, high castes such as kshatriyas and vaishyas are more likely to be worse-off.
• While Dalits are more likely to be worse-off, the tribals are less likely to be worse-off due to indigenous culture cushioning them better against stresses and acute deprivation.
• On the basis of urban and rural areas: Those living in urban areas are less likely to be worse-off than rural areas due to more remunerative employment opportunities and better health and education.
• On the basis of state’s affluence: More affluent states are likely to be better-off due to better employment, health and education.

Way Forward: The emphasis should be on enhancing the capabilities of individuals in finding opportunities for self-advancement and recognition (as proposed by Amartya Sen), especially with regards to the well-being of the oldest during the pandemic.