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<p>Coastal communities in Kerala, India, are increasingly susceptible to recurrent marine hazards such as cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion and sea-level rise, escalating the livelihood risks faced by households, dependent on climate-sensitive occupations. Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) framework, the study proposes a Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) comprising dimensions of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and context-specific indicator weights for the constituent indicators were derived through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). LVI was validated using primary data collected through a household survey across selected coastal regions of Kerala. High level of livelihood vulnerability was observed among the households, primarily driven by economic instability, recurrent environmental shocks and limited adaptive capacity; particularly the heavy dependence on fishing and restricted access to formal credit. Poverty and indebtedness further exacerbate vulnerability, while indicators related to health, education, and housing exert relatively minor influence within the study sample. By introducing an AHP-weighted approach in place of conventional equal-weighting methods, this study provides a more robust and context-sensitive assessment of livelihood vulnerability in Kerala’s coastal belt. The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of vulnerability and offer empirical evidence to inform targeted policy interventions aimed at strengthening economic resilience, enhancing adaptive capacity and improving disaster preparedness among coastal households.</p>

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Assessing livelihood vulnerability of coastal households in Kerala, using analytical hierarchy process

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月6日

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  • Niranjana Haridas,
  • Sangeetha Kunnukattil Prathap

摘要

Coastal communities in Kerala, India, are increasingly susceptible to recurrent marine hazards such as cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion and sea-level rise, escalating the livelihood risks faced by households, dependent on climate-sensitive occupations. Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) framework, the study proposes a Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) comprising dimensions of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and context-specific indicator weights for the constituent indicators were derived through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). LVI was validated using primary data collected through a household survey across selected coastal regions of Kerala. High level of livelihood vulnerability was observed among the households, primarily driven by economic instability, recurrent environmental shocks and limited adaptive capacity; particularly the heavy dependence on fishing and restricted access to formal credit. Poverty and indebtedness further exacerbate vulnerability, while indicators related to health, education, and housing exert relatively minor influence within the study sample. By introducing an AHP-weighted approach in place of conventional equal-weighting methods, this study provides a more robust and context-sensitive assessment of livelihood vulnerability in Kerala’s coastal belt. The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of vulnerability and offer empirical evidence to inform targeted policy interventions aimed at strengthening economic resilience, enhancing adaptive capacity and improving disaster preparedness among coastal households.