Gender inequality in Educational Expenditure in India: Evidence from a Nationwide Large Scale Survey Data

The present paper aims to assess gender disparity in educational expenditure in the rural and urban sectors of India using Consumer Expenditure data collected in various rounds by National Sample Survey Organization. Also the paper examines whether the change in age and sex composition contributes to change in educational expenditure from the first to the second survey period. Linear form of Engel function, bivariate and multivariate analysis is used to fulfil the first objective and to obtain the second objective Decomposition Analysis is employed. Findings indicate that there is an overall increase in educational expenditure over time, however gender disparity exists in expenditure on primary, secondary and higher education. In rural sectors gender inequality in expenditure has increased over time. In urban sectors the inequality has decreased, but the gape is high compared to rural sectors. Result from Decomposition Analysis reveals that compositional shift in female population is the main factor which contributes to decrease in educational expenditure among females over time. The study suggests that looking to the scenario, Government should implement programmes to reduce existing gender inequality in educational expenditure by enhancing investment in education, and special emphasize should be given on females.