A country with a poverty rate of 28% cannot claim to be the “fourth most equal” (Cong).

Congress Urges India to Update Official Poverty Measure

• The Congress argues that India’s poverty rate of 28.1%, as reported by the World Bank in 2022, is not a “justifiable” claim to be one of the most equal societies.

• The World Bank report suggests India’s consumption-based Gini coefficient of inequality fell to 25.5 in 2022-23, making it “the fourth most equal country in the world”.

• The Congress also points out high wage disparity in India, with the median earnings of the top 10% being 13 times higher than the bottom 10% in 2023-24.

• The World Bank report also notes data limitations, suggesting that consumption inequality may be underestimated.

• The Congress suggests updating India’s official poverty line to better reflect the country’s economic reality.