Regional convergence of social and economic development in the districts of West Bengal, India: Do clubs exist? Does space matter? An empirical analysis using DLHS I–IV and NFHS IV data

Abstract

The present study attempts to explore the progress of social development [captured by Social Development Index (SDI)] across 17 districts of West Bengal over five time points (during 1998–1999 to 2015–2016) using District-Level Household Survey (DLHS I–IV) and National Family Health Survey (NFHS IV) data. The inequality of SDI and its components are found to be declining but the income [measured by per capita district domestic product (PCDDP)] inequality is found to be fluctuating over time. Thus, the inequality of social and economic development does not move in the same direction. The distribution dynamics of SDI is captured by kernel density function over five time points that clearly gives twin peaks distribution of SDI and ensures the possibility of ‘club convergence.’ Using the components of SDI, we employ K-means cluster; both kernel distribution and K-mean cluster confirm the existence of low-level trap found in four districts of West Bengal. We estimate Moran’s Index and results suggest that SDI is more spatially dependent than PCDDP. This analysis may be helpful to understand the dynamics of social changes observed among the districts of West Bengal over time.