Family Structure, Economic Outcomes and Perceived Change in Economic Well-being in India

Abstract

As demographic, economic and cultural shifts continue to diversify family structure, researchers need to explore new ways of conceptualizing and measuring family characteristics and economic outcomes. There are hardly any quantitative studies in India to understand the families from a demographic perspective and relate them to economic outcomes. Thus, we explore the plausible association between the family structure and economic outcomes and perceived change in economic well-being in India. This study conceptualized and adopted a demographic approach to derive family typologies that suit a developing country like India and its cultural context. The study uses the latest information based on India Human Development Survey, 2011-12 and applies robust statistical methods. The findings suggest that family structure makes a huge difference in their economic outcomes. Mostly the families with single residents (adult or older) and families with female children or older adults have a huge economic disadvantage compared to their counterparts.