Determinants of occupational change and mobility in rural India

Type Working Paper - Applied Economics
Title Determinants of occupational change and mobility in rural India
Author(s)
Volume 32
Issue 12
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2000
Page numbers 1559-1573
URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/000368400418961#
Abstract
With a view to redress the dearth of economic analysis on occupational dynamics in rural household economies, this study examines the nature and characteristics of occupational change and mobility in rural India. Using the unique WIDER data-set from six villages in West Bengal, India the factors causing a change of primary occupation among those who tried to change occupation over a twelve-month recall period has been analysed. Bivariate probit estimates jointly determining the probability of trying to change occupation and having been successful suggest that success in changing occupation depends crucially on socially constructed ‘status’- being older, male, from larger farming families or having higher schooling experience. They also exemplify the effects of regional diversity, levels of prosperity and different patterns of employment between agricultural and non-agricultural activities.

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