Improvement in Economic Well-being: Does Inter-generational Occupational Mobility Matter?

Abstract

This study makes use of the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS) data to look at the effect of inter-generational occupational mobility in India on perceptions of improved economic well-being. The study provides preliminary support to the hypothesis that inter-generational occupational mobility has a role to play in improving perceptions of economic well-being. More importantly, the study reveals that it is the direction of inter-generational occupational movement that has a significant bearing on perceptions of economic well-being. A hierarchy of occupational classes exists and it is the movement along this hierarchy that is a prime determinant in defining this relationship. Possible reasons for this are also suggested as part of the study. Keywords: occupational mobility, IHDS, economic well-being