NITI Aayog's CEO, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, has reported that poverty rates in India have dropped to less than 5%, according to NSSO data. The survey also reveals that the average monthly expenditure per capita among the bottom 0-5% group is Rs 1,373 in rural areas and Rs 2,001 in urban areas. The latest NSSO household consumer expenditure data suggests a significant decline in poverty levels in India, with increasing prosperity observed in both rural and urban areas.
Furthermore, according to data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the per capita monthly household expenditure has more than doubled in 2022-23 compared to 2011-12, indicating a notable surge in prosperity levels nationwide. "The consumer expenditure survey also reflects the success of the poverty alleviation measures taken by the government," Subrahmanyam told the media.
The NSSO survey findings are based on data gathered from 1.55 lakh rural and 1.07 lakh urban households, categorizing the population into 20 distinct groups. According to the data, the average per capita monthly expenditure across all categories amounted to Rs 3,773 in rural regions and Rs 6,459 in urban areas. Specifically, the average per capita monthly expenditure for the bottom 0-5 percent segment is Rs 1,373 in rural areas and Rs 2,001 in urban areas.
"The lowest 0-5 percent class's average consumption, if we take the poverty line and inflate it with the Consumer Price Index (C.P.I.) to today’s rate, is about the same. This means that poverty in the country is only in the 0-5 percent group," the NITI Aayog CEO said. "This is my assessment, but economists will analyze it and produce correct numbers," he added.
