Unpacking Livelihood Vulnerability: A Study of Tribal Communities in Rural Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Understanding the drivers of livelihood vulnerability is essential for promoting sustainable development in marginalised rural areas. This study examines the socio-economic and infrastructural determinants of household-level livelihood vulnerability among tribal communities in Jharkhand, India. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines the composite livelihood vulnerability index (CLVI), multiple linear Regression, and qualitative fieldwork, the study analyses primary data from 400 households. The CLVI reveals moderate yet structurally embedded vulnerability (0.539), with climate variability as the dominant contributor. Regression analysis identifies a high dependency ratio, distress migration, chronic illness, informal borrowing, and the absence of irrigation and sanitation as key vulnerability drivers, while education and self-help group membership serve as protective factors. Qualitative narratives foreground community experiences, revealing dimensions of vulnerability that indices alone cannot capture. Building adaptive capacity is essential to securing long-term resilience and sustainable livelihoods for tribal households facing socio-economic and environmental challenges.