Measuring More Than Money: Unpacking Consumption Disparities in Leh, Ladakh through Reference Periods

Household consumption behaviour reflects both the economic and social well-being of households, as well as their priorities. Spending patterns across categories such as health, education, and food vary and are influenced by factors such as gender and sector. This study investigates disparities in consumption expenditure patterns in Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh. The primary objective is to assess the pattern of Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) using both Uniform Recall Period (URP) and Mixed Recall Period (MRP) methods. It further examines disparities in MPCE based on gender, sector (rural/urban), and tehsil-level differences. Descriptive and analytical statistical tools are used for analysis. The data is drawn from a research project funded by the University of Jammu under the Seed and Research Grants program. Findings indicate that the reference period significantly affects MPCE estimates. Rural areas, with more diverse income sources, show greater variance in mean MPCE compared to urban areas. Similarly, female-headed households display higher variance in mean MPCE than male-headed households. The study highlights the vulnerability of rural and female-headed households in Leh district. It concludes by recommending targeted and flexible policy interventions to address these disparities and promote inclusive development.