Intra-caste socio-economic conditions and social mobility: a study of scheduled castes in Kerala

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic conditions, intra-caste disparities, and intergenerational social mobility among Scheduled Caste (SC) households in Kerala, with a specific emphasis on the role of education in influencing income mobility. Despite Kerala’s achievements in human development, SC communities continue to experience structural disadvantages and unequal access to resources. Using primary data collected from 377 households across selected regions of Kerala, the study adopts a comprehensive methodological framework combining descriptive statistics, inferential analysis, and multiple econometric models. The findings reveal that a majority of SC households are characterized by low socio-economic status, limited land ownership, and heavy reliance on daily wage labor and informal employment. Significant intra-caste disparities exist in housing conditions, income levels, consumption patterns, and access to education across different SC sub-groups. Inequality analysis using the Theil Index indicates that a substantial portion of income and expenditure inequality arises within SC communities rather than between them, highlighting deep internal heterogeneity. Econometric analysis identifies income, household size, employment status, and educational attainment—particularly of children—as key determinants of consumption expenditure and income earnings. While the education of household heads shows limited direct impact, the educational advancement of the younger generation significantly enhances economic outcomes, emphasizing the transformative role of education. Technical skills, digital literacy, and urban location also emerge as important factors influencing income levels. The study provides evidence of both absolute and relative social mobility among SC households. Intergenerational comparisons indicate that children attain higher levels of education and income than their parents, reflecting positive upward mobility. However, the persistence of income inequality and moderate intergenerational elasticity suggest that mobility is constrained by structural and socio-economic barriers. Furthermore, educational upward mobility and intergenerational psychological distance are found to significantly influence income mobility. The study concludes that although there are signs of progress, persistent inequalities and intra-caste disparities hinder inclusive development. It emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions focusing on education, skill development, employment opportunities, and reduction of intra-group inequalities to promote equitable socio-economic advancement among SC communities in Kerala.