Indirect Estimation of Life Expectancy at Birth for the Districts of the Major States of India (2001-05)

Life expectancy at birth (e₀⁰) is considered as an important indicator of the mortality level and quality of life in a population. In India, direct estimation of e₀⁰ through construction of life tables is not possible due to incomplete death registration. The Sample Registration System of India provides information on e₀⁰ only for 16 states. The estimates of e₀⁰ for the districts are not available. Most of the indirect methods for estimating e₀⁰ are inapplicable due to the unavailability of the required data and/or failure to satisfy the associated assumptions at the sub state level. An effort is made in this paper to estimate the e₀⁰ at the district level of India for the period 2001-05 by developing a regression model. We have found that, of the major states, Pathanamthitta district of Kerala has the maximum and Katni district of Madhya Pradesh has the minimum e₀⁰.