The World Bank estimates that 496 million people in India moved out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, a decline from 57.7% to 16.1% below the Lower Middle-Income Country line. Extreme poverty also saw a significant reduction.
Despite this progress, the report highlights persistent income inequality, with median earnings for the top 10% of workers being 13 times higher than the bottom 10% in 2023. Furthermore, nearly 14% of the adult population lacks primary education, and substantial portions of the population lack access to standard drinking water and sanitation.
Poverty is increasingly concentrated in states from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal, accounting for 57% of India’s poor population. Addressing poverty in these regions will depend on enabling productive employment.
Source: Down To Earth