Economic and social inequality is consistently persisting in
tribal region of Pakistan. People in the tribal region of Pakistan are
living in deprived state whereby they lack even basic necessities in
their lives. As described by Gul, the tribal areas are different than
the rural areas because tribal areas are located in far flung
mountainous terrain where accessibility to basic amenities is much lower
than the rural areas [Gul (2013)]. In recent times, the Government of
Pakistan initiated many efforts for provision of basic amenities in
tribal areas as an essential component of development in the context of
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, according to John the
desired state is yet to be achieved in tribal areas [John (2009)].
Tribal life is characterised by hardship and great insecurity especially
for poor labour. Given the income vulnerabilities, the long run welfare
is forgone for short run securities. Interruption, reduction or loss of
earnings from the contingencies such as unemployment, underemployment,
low wages, low prices and failure to find the market for the produce,
old age, ill-health, sickness, disability etc. are the situations which
call for social security and protection. As concluded by Talbot, this
constant state of deprivation has generated deep rooted inequalities in
the tribal society [Talbot (1998)]. People take rescue measures such as
sending their earners to urban areas and if possible to foreign
countries. Those who have lands and doing agriculture are the blessed
one, although, the earning pattern is distorted due to law and order
situation. To have an assessment of the overall economic inequality in
the tribal region, author conducted a study in a small village Naryab
which is located in the tribal region. Primary data was collected from
the households physically and it was thoroughly analysed to conclude the
pattern of inequality. This inequality was then mapped using latest
mapping software “SURFER”.
Intergenerational Earnings Persistence and Economic Inequality in the Long Run: Evidence from French Cohorts, 1931–75