Data | Malappuram, Palakkad and Wayanad lag behind other Kerala districts 

While inter-district disparities exist, they were not as stark in Kerala compared to Tamil Nadu

It is a well-documented fact that Kerala ranks first on many socio-economic indicators compared to other States. For instance, it has a low share of teenage marriages, a low infant mortality ratio, a low share of stunted children, and a high share of people using sanitation facilities compared to other States. In fact, it stands out on many indicators even among the relatively advanced southern States.

However, significant inter-district disparities exist across many indicators. The differences between relatively rich districts such as Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram and relatively poor districts such as Kasaragod, Palakkad, Wayanad and Malappuram were considerably high across many of the parameters considered in this analysis.

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This is the second story in a series of Data Points exploring inter-district differences in southern States. In the first story, published on June 26, Tamil Nadu’s numbers were analysed. Here, Kerala’s district-wise variations have been analysed across eight indicators. It is important to note that the inter-district variations are not as stark in Kerala as it was in Tamil Nadu.

Chart 1 | The chart shows the share of households that used clean fuel (electricity, LPG/natural gas, biogas) for cooking in 2019-21.

Over 88% of households in Ernakulam used clean fuel compared to Idukki’s 54%. While 80% or more households in Alappuzha and Kollam used clean fuel, only 60% or a lower share of households in Wayanad, Malappuram and Pathanamthitta used such fuel.

Chart 2 | The chart shows the share of women aged 20-24 years who married as teenagers.