Educational Outcomes and Poverty

The study aims to explore the impact of educational attainment on various aspects such as earnings, empowerment, fertility and health while also taking into consideration the particular characteristics of various households.  Results from survey conducted in districts of India namely Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in 2007 were triangulated through a Q2 approach and analysis indicates that education has a positive impact on social and economic aspects of an individual although socio economic background in terms of caste plays a significant role in whether those benefits are realized. The difference between urban and rural areas is stark whereby rural areas face lack of infrastructure and facilities and that in turn result in high level of poverty and lower probability of attaining higher levels of education. Gender disparity is evident in rural areas in terms of lack of educational opportunities for females and in urban areas in terms of low participation of women in labor force.

The analysis casts light on the fact that education provides empowerment to women which positively impacts fertility rate and health of family. The report concludes that no conclusive evidence is present in regards to removal of poverty through education and although consumption and educational level are correlated there is uncertainty in whether higher income levels bring about an increase in education or whether education brings about an increase in income levels.