The Kerala Model or Kerala Phenomenon or Kerala Model of Development refers to the model of social development and welfare practiced in the state of Kerala, India. Despite having a relatively small and poor economy, Kerala has the highest life expectancy, literacy, media exposure, sex ratio (only state in India with more women than men) and the lowest levels of infant mortality and population growth in India.
Kerala had been led for many years under a communist party but retained democratic structures and civil liberties.