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The report of the fifteenth annual survey of household consumer expenditure and employment-unemployment situation in India carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, was released here today. The survey results relate to the calendar year 2003. In the survey, a randomly drawn sample of 41,013 households spread over 6553 villages and 3757 urban blocks, covering the entire geographical area of the country in accordance with a scientific sampling plan, served as the respondents. Data collected from these households - by actual interview - included commodity-specific information on items of food, clothing, bedding and footwear, fuel, consumer durables, and other items. In addition, area and structure type of household dwelling unit, size of land possessed, principal fuel used, and other aspects of standard of living were recorded. Educational level and employment particulars, including special information to throw light on the magnitude and nature of unemployment, were recorded for each member of each surveyed household.
The report presents, firstly, details of the level and pattern of consumer expenditure and other aspects of the standard of living of the rural and urban population of the country. Special attention is given to the quantity and value of cereals consumed per person. For all items of consumption other than cereals, however, estimates of consumption are given in value terms only. Other aspects of standard of living discussed in the report include level of education, fuel use, structure of dwelling, area of dwelling unit, and size of land possessed. The section on employment-unemployment studies the trend in employment and unemployment indicators. Estimates are presented separately for all important States and Union Territories, and separately for the rural and urban population of each of these States/UTs.
Household consumer expenditure
During the survey period January-December 2003, the all-India average monthly per capita consumer expenditure (MPCE) was Rs.554 for rural India. For urban India it was Rs.1022, that is, about 84% higher.
In 2003, those with MPCE below Rs.470 constituted 50% of the rural population of India. Those with MPCE below Rs.300 formed about 13%. Among the urban population, 80% had MPCE above Rs.500. About 16% had MPCE above Rs.1500.
For rural India, average MPCE of Rs.554 comprised Rs.299 for food and Rs.255 for non-food. Food expenditure included Rs.99 for cereals and cereal substitutes, Rs.45 for milk and milk products, Rs.35 for vegetables and Rs.25 for edible oil. Non-food expenditure included Rs.51 for fuel and light, and Rs.44 for clothing and footwear.
For the urban sector, average MPCE of Rs.1022 comprised Rs.429 for food and Rs.593 for non-food. Of food expenditure, Rs.102 went towards cereals and cereal substitutes, Rs.80 on milk and milk products, Rs.46 on vegetables and Rs.35 on edible oil. Rs.94 was spent per person per month on fuel and light, and Rs.71 on clothing and footwear.
Per capita consumption of cereals was 12.34 kg per month for the rural population, all ages considered together. For the urban population it was 9.90 kg per month. Among the major States, Orissa had the highest level of cereal consumption per month for the rural population: 14.6 kg per person. The urban population in both Orissa and Bihar had a monthly per capita cereal consumption level of about 12.8 kg.
The share of cereals in total consumption expenditure was 18% in rural India in 2003 compared to 26% in 1987-88. In urban India it was 10% in 2003 compared to 15% in 1987-88.
The decline in the share of food in total expenditure seen over the past several rounds of NSS continued. The share of food was 54% in rural areas compared to 64% in 1987-88 and 42% in urban areas compared to 56% during 1987-88.
Adequacy of food (self-perceived)
At the all-India level 3 households per 1000 rural households and 1 household per 1000 urban households said they did not get enough to eat (by their own assessment) in any month of the year. 13 households per 1000 rural households and 3 households per 1000 urban households said they got enough to eat in some months of the year but not all.
Other living conditions
The proportion of rural households living in katcha structures was 21% in 2003 compared to 30% in 2000-2001. For urban households, the proportion of households living in katcha structures was 5% compared to 7% in 2000-2001.
The proportion of urban households using LPG as cooking fuel rose to 55% in 2003 compared to 47% in 2000-01. Among rural households, the proportion increased to 9% from 7% in 2000-01.
Employment and unemployment
The labour force at any given time consists of those who are “working” (engaged in economic activity) and those who are seeking or available for work. The usual principal status approach counts a person among the “employed” during a year if he or she has spent more time within the labour force than out of it and has spent more time in the “working” state than in seeking or being available for work.
The worker-population ratio (WPR), i.e., proportion of persons employed, was, according to the usual principal status approach, 54% for the male population as a whole in both rural and urban India. Among females, the corresponding WPR was 24% in rural areas, another 8% having pursued some economic activity in a subsidiary capacity during the year. Among urban females the WPR according to usual principal status was 12%, with another 3% pursuing some economic activity in a subsidiary capacity.
In rural areas, about 71 per cent of male workers and 85 per cent of female workers, as identified by the usual status approach (considering both principal and subsidiary activity together), were found engaged in agricultural activities.
In the urban areas about 60 per cent of male workers and about 50 per cent of female workers, as identified by the usual status approach, were found engaged in tertiary sector activities.
The usual status approach counts a person among the “unemployed” during a year if he or she has spent more time within the labour force than out of it and more time in seeking or being available for work than in the “working” state. The unemployment rate is understood as the ratio of number of persons unemployed to the number of persons in the labour force (i.e., the total of employed and unemployed). In urban India the unemployment rate according to the usual status approach (considering both principal and subsidiary status together) was 4 per cent among both males and females. In the rural areas, the unemployment rate was lower - 2 per cent for males and 1 per cent for females.
PRESS NOTE/NSSO
VKS/SR
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