Title: Trends in geographical mortality differentials in India
Abstract: The study examines variation of mortality and mortality trends among different regions in India since the 1970s by using data of the Sample Registration System (SRS).Evaluation of the SRS data quality confirms reliability for children and adult ages under 60.Analysis of temporary life expectancy between the exact ages 0 and 60 years shows that after a spectacular progress during the 1970s and the 1980s, improvements in longevity slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s.Gini coefficient and dispersion measure of mortality confirm the convergence of mortality across the regions in India between 1971-75 and 2000-2004.In spite of this trend, a substantial difference between higher longevity in the south and lower longevity in the north was noteworthy in 2001-2004.Age-decomposition of temporary life expectancy by age group 0-14 and 15-59 suggests that the steep longevity increase in the 1970s-80s was largely driven by mortality reduction of children under age 15.In the 1990s and the early 2000s, the contribution of both young and adult age groups into the longevity increase has diminished.India faces difficulties in making progress in further reduction of infant death to the minimum levels and also in fight with chronic and man-made diseases at older ages.