India Lifted 170 Million People Out of Poverty in a Decade – World Bank
In a remarkable achievement, India has lifted 170 million people out of extreme poverty between 2011-12 and 2022-23, according to a new report. The proportion of Indians living on less than $2.15 per day declined sharply from 16.2% to just 2.3% during this period, marking a major stride in the country’s battle against poverty.
India Poverty Reduction
The data highlights a strong trend of economic upliftment, reflecting the impact of sustained growth, improved social welfare programs, and expanded rural development initiatives over the last decade. The report underscores that India’s poverty reduction is among the most significant globally during this timeframe.
Rural areas witnessed a sharper decline compared to urban regions. In rural India, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty fell from 18.4% to 2.8%, while in urban areas, it decreased from 10.7% to 1.1%. This indicates that targeted programs aimed at rural employment, infrastructure, and direct benefit transfers have made a tangible impact on grassroots economic conditions.
World Bank India Findings
The findings highlight that while there has been notable progress in reducing consumption inequality — meaning the gap between rich and poor in terms of spending habits — income inequality remains a challenge. Wage disparities have continued, suggesting that while basic living standards have improved, broader income distribution reforms are still needed to sustain inclusive growth.
The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum through policy reforms, better job creation, access to education, healthcare, and financial inclusion efforts to ensure that those lifted out of poverty do not slip back.
Rural Poverty Decline
The significant rural success is attributed to multiple factors, including enhanced agricultural productivity, government welfare schemes like direct cash transfers, rural employment guarantee programs, expansion of rural road networks, and broader access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity.
Experts point out that India’s achievement over the past decade not only strengthens its domestic economic foundation but also enhances its standing in global development indicators. However, they caution that continued focus on reducing income inequality and creating high-quality employment opportunities will be critical for sustaining the gains and moving towards the goal of eradicating poverty entirely.
India’s success story over the last ten years serves as a model for other developing nations striving to combat poverty through a combination of economic reforms, targeted interventions, and inclusive growth strategies.
