A thread on the much hyped Kerala model economy using excerpts from Kerala Migration survey 2018 report from the State Govt's Center for Development Studies (CDS) prepared every 3 years that studies emigration, remittance & its impact on economy of the state. 
Known also as the "Money Order Economy", CDS's head S. Irudaya Rajan himself describes the situation as "Remittances from global capitalism are carrying the whole Kerala (socialist) economy".
Remittances account for ~36% to the state’s SGDP & contributes additional 25K to per capital GDP while its only 3.4K all India. Despite this huge leverage, the state is still ranked 9th on NSDP per capita. Normalize this remittance to 3K & the state’s will fall to 14th rank.
We keep hearing “Keralites get more opportunities aboard because they are more educated”.. is that true?
As per KMS report, 70% state's emigrants are undergraduates & are engaged in blue collar jobs like shop salesmen, drivers, peons cooks, laborers, mechanics etc.
As per KMS report, 70% state's emigrants are undergraduates & are engaged in blue collar jobs like shop salesmen, drivers, peons cooks, laborers, mechanics etc.
Almost 24 households in Kerela have emigrants (hence remittance support).
Religion wise, a whooping 42% Muslim households in Kerala have emigrant support whereas its 27% for Xtians & just 15% for Hindus.
Religion wise, a whooping 42% Muslim households in Kerala have emigrant support whereas its 27% for Xtians & just 15% for Hindus.
Social inequality between households who enjoy foreign remittance vs those who don‘t are quite visible in Kerala, esp in luxuries like like car, fridge,computer,washing machine, AC etc... read this with previous tweet & check if this inequality is seen at religious levels too
Though remittance has grown due to a weakened rupee, the big concern for the state is diminishing emigration. You can see in 2018, the nos of emigrants from the state is less than what it was 10 years ago in 2008. Remember that Covid19 has led to many more return back this year
Households enjoying remittance in Kerala are highly dependent on it for running their day to day expenses like school fee, paying back debts, etc an much less now on on gold/Land etc
..the state Govt is already crippled with debts.. imagine what happens when many come back home.
..the state Govt is already crippled with debts.. imagine what happens when many come back home.
Most of the emigrants are returning back because they are getting fired, or poor salary/poor job conditions..etc Ironically, fact is, after returning back many of them will come to other Indian cities for a second innings of their career instead of being in stay in Kerala.
Foreign remittance has played a very crucial role in building Keralas health sector.. even today 70% of healthcare in the state is private funded ( one of the highest in the country)
Over!
Over!
Unroll @threadreaderapp
