Impact of unemployment and migration on crime in India
Student name: Ms Ritika Chauhan
Guide: Dr Nidhi Pande
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: TERI University
Abstract: Since 2000, Crime rate in India has been increasing at a very fast pace along with an
increase in Unemployment and Migration. It is believed that this rise in crime is due to
Unemployment and Migration. However this relation is not empirically tested in India.
Therefore, using panel data on Indian States and Union Territories for the period 2002 and
2009, this research aims to analyse the factors affecting crime in India with particular
reference to Unemployment and Migration. We have also tested the relative importance of
the deterrence variable such as police strength and judicial efficiency. Consistent with the
economic model, the effect of Unemployment on crime is motivated by financial gains,
while the effect of Migration on crime is found to be negative. Also, after controlling for
state fixed effects and time fixed effects, an increase in the proportion of people with at
least middle level of education is associated with lower crime rate.
