The correct answer is: A) Income inequality.
Kerala has a relatively high income inequality, with the top 10% of earners accounting for more than 50% of the state’s income. This is in contrast to the national average, where the top 10% of earners account for around 30% of the country’s income.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Kerala’s high income inequality. One factor is the state’s large informal economy, which accounts for around 50% of the state’s GDP. The informal economy is characterized by low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of social security benefits.
Another factor that contributes to Kerala’s high income inequality is the state’s education system. Kerala has one of the highest literacy rates in India, but there is a large gap between the quality of education in private schools and government schools. This gap leads to a difference in earning potential between those who have access to a good education and those who do not.
Finally, Kerala’s high income inequality is also due to the state’s history of caste discrimination. The caste system is a social hierarchy that divides people into different groups based on their birth. This system has led to a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small number of upper-caste families.
Kerala’s high income inequality has a number of negative consequences. It leads to poverty, social unrest, and crime. It also makes it difficult for the state to provide basic services such as education and healthcare to all of its citizens.
The government of Kerala has taken a number of steps to address the issue of income inequality. These include providing free education and healthcare to all citizens, investing in the development of the informal economy, and promoting affirmative action for disadvantaged groups. However, these efforts have not been enough to significantly reduce the state’s income inequality.
Kerala’s high income inequality is a complex issue with no easy solutions. The government of Kerala will need to continue to take steps to address this issue in order to ensure that all of its citizens have the opportunity to live a good life.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option B, unemployment rate, is incorrect because Kerala has a relatively low unemployment rate. In 2020, the unemployment rate in Kerala was 6.1%, which is lower than the national average of 7.1%.
- Option C, population density, is incorrect because Kerala has a relatively low population density. In 2020, the population density in Kerala was 860 people per square kilometer, which is lower than the national average of 464 people per square kilometer.
- Option D, industrial pollution level, is incorrect because Kerala has a relatively low industrial pollution level. In 2020, the air quality index in Kerala was 80, which is considered to be good.