A recent World Bank report shows India’s Gini index at 25.5—but this measures consumption, not income or wealth, and tells only part of the inequality story
Consumption surveys underreport rich households. Non-response and income masking distort the data, making inequality appear lower than it is
Top 10% earners made 13 times more than the bottom 10% in 2023–24. Wage gaps remain steep, especially in self-employed and informal sectors
Spatial inequality is stark. Rural MPCE in Tamil Nadu is double that of Jharkhand. Urban Telangana consumes 70% more than Bihar. Gaps run deep
Policymakers must not draw comfort from a single number. Inequality spans income, wealth, region, and opportunity—and each layer matters
Rapid growth and meaningful jobs are still key. Equity will come not from headline data, but from expanding access and reducing structural gaps