Human Development and Economic Growth in Kerala: Sustainability Issues

By : Manju S. Nair

Page No: 81-91

Abstract
Historically, the state of Kerala has followed a human development lopsided development pattern evidenced by high human development index (HDI) despite low growth rates.For the last two decades, along with high HDI the state experienced high growth in NSDP; the sustainability of this phenomenon (i.e., a movement towards virtuous cycle) depending upon the strength of the causal chain from human development to economic growth and vice versa.The paper attempts at exploring these chains and argues for a complementary approach of strengthening the links between economic growth and human development through successful policies aimed at larger allocation to public services (such as education, health care, nutritional support and environmental protection) and much more comprehensive programmes of economic equity and social security along with development of the physical and social infrastructure.

Author :
Manju S. Nair : Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Kerala, Kerala, India