📊 India’s Inequality Debate: Are We Really the 4th Most Equal Country? 📊
India’s recent ranking as the 4th most equal country in the World Bank’s report has sparked a lively debate. Using the Gini Index based on consumption data, the World Bank praises India’s efforts in reducing extreme poverty and improving access to basic necessities—thanks to well-targeted welfare programs and financial inclusion schemes.
But how can India, often described as deeply unequal, suddenly be called one of the most equal countries in the world?
It all comes down to perspective and methodology. This Gini-based assessment focuses on consumption patterns, especially among the bottom 90% of the population. Increased access to milk, fruits, transport, mobile connectivity, and housing for rural and urban poor shows measurable progress—this is something worth acknowledging.
At the same time, critiques based on income and wealth inequality, such as reports by the World Inequality Lab, still hold ground. These use income and asset ownership as benchmarks, where India's top 1% control a significant portion of national wealth—clearly reflecting ongoing disparity.
The article by an RBI Monetary Policy Committee member in The Hindu offers a crucial insight: while criticism of methodology is fair, it's equally important to recognize India's progress in raising consumption levels and reducing extreme poverty. Welfare schemes have made a visible difference, and growth at the grassroots matters too.
Inequality isn't one-dimensional. Depending on whether we measure income, wealth, or consumption—the picture can shift dramatically. The key is to look at the full frame before forming conclusions.
What do you think? Is India becoming more equal—or are we just seeing one layer of a complex reality?
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