Regional Development Assessment Based on Socioeconomic Factors in Pakistan Using Cluster Analysis

The main objective of this paper is to develop groups of the districts of Punjab province of Pakistan to assess the development and the distribution of resources in the province. For tracking the progress towards Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for education, health, water supply & sanitation, government of the Punjab has conducted two Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) so far. The data from these two Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2003-04 and 2007-08 is used. Cluster analysis is used to form the groups of the districts in Punjab. Furthermore the results of the two time spans are compared on the basis of cluster-wise summary statistics. The results showed a shifting of districts among the clusters during the period from 2003-04 to 2007-08. A little improvement in the literacy rate is observed in the later survey but none of the districts could achieve any of the MDGs. Inequalities in the distribution of resources is reflected in the analysis. The government can use the results of this study for future policy making.