UNICEF was requested by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to conduct a study to assess the economic impacts of the Swachh Bharat Gramin in rural areas. Key findings were as follows: On an average households in ODF villages accrued cumulative benefits of Rs.50,000 per year; Households with a toilet saw a property increase of Rs.19,000; On an average, total benefits exceed costs by 4.7 times for households.
UNICEF implemented an independent survey on a sample of 18,376 respondents representing 10,068 rural households, randomly selected from 550 Gram Panchayats across 12 states accounting for 90% of open defecation in India . The survey was carried out from 20 July – 11 August 2017. This interim reports provides an overview of key findings, showing differences between population ‘quintiles’ reflecting household wealth, based on an asset index.