Measuring Spatial Inequality In Livability Index Using Microdata In Pakistan

The focus of this study is to measure livability index for detection of spatial gap in Pakistan. Livability index is a multidimensional index which covers seven major elements: housing, health, engagement, water & sanitation, energy, opportunities, and neighborhood of a livable society. All these perspectives are empirically estimated and incorporated in defining and measuring a combined livability index. Standard methodology of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used for estimating weighted sub-indices of livability index. The study utilizes PSLM 2014-15 which focused on almost all the dimensions of livability. The findings of the study shows a significance difference in rural-urban livability. The study concludes that location is a significant determinant of livability, especial Sindh rural and Baluchistan rural are most vulnerable in livability. Moreover, spatial inequality among regions and districts is high in Sindh followed by Baluchistan. Big cities: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Karachi, Faisalabad, Quetta, Peshawar, and others have relatively better livability than small cities by population. Findings of the research are highly important for policy maker to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth by considering the empirical fact of rural urban divide and large geographic disparities at district level in Pakistan.