Unequal Life Chances : Equity and the Demographic Transition in India

India is passing through a phase where a major share of its population is in its prime and of working age. Many have spoken of the ‘dividend'that we could reap from what is being called the ‘youth bulge'. With the gaping inequalities in our society, the youth in this country encounter gross disparities in their life chances and in their opportunities to realise their potential. In this volume, we have attempted to look closely at India's demographic transition, specifically from the perspective of social and economic equity. Other than covering the important elements of the debate on India's demographic transition, the book attempts to makes a signal contribution in bringing together issues of social justice and economic inequality to bear on the mostly technocratic framing of the subject. Thus, it is an attempt to highlight that all decisions about economic ‘development'or growth are politically infused and should be addressed as such. Cover Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations Prologue Chapter 1 The ‘Youthful Bulge’ and a Hope Squandered Chapter 2 Fettered by Birth, Battered in Life Chapter 3 Vicissitudes of Growth Chapter 4 Misplaced Priorities Chapter 5 Beyond the Neoliberal Smokescreen Appendix Bibliography Index About the Authors A first-time analysis of India’s demographic transition from the point of view of the youth, and why it has not meant more jobs and better jobs for the youth of India. Copyright: Centre for Equity Studies--Title page verso