Distribution of population between different poverty lines … 2011 in India
India: Distribution of population between different poverty lines … 2011 was 68.43 million people in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) in India, 1977–2021
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) in India is 68.43 million people, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.4% on the previous year and up 79.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) in India peaked at 81.78 million people in 2018 and was at its lowest, 4.08 million people, in 1977.
India ranks 6th of 119 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Distribution of population between different poverty lines … 2011 in India, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 4.08 million people | — |
| 1983 | 4.84 million people | +18.7% |
| 1987 | 8.20 million people | +69.4% |
| 1993 | 6.80 million people | -17.2% |
| 2004 | 17.78 million people | +161.7% |
| 2009 | 23.51 million people | +32.2% |
| 2011 | 38.19 million people | +62.4% |
| 2015 | 52.99 million people | +38.8% |
| 2016 | 54.26 million people | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 73.00 million people | +34.5% |
| 2018 | 81.78 million people | +12.0% |
| 2019 | 74.12 million people | -9.4% |
| 2020 | 65.55 million people | -11.6% |
| 2021 | 68.43 million people | +4.4% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 68.43 million people is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 2.38 million people, 28.8× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- India's 68.43 million people is above the median for South Asia, which is 5.23 million people, 13.1× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.08 million people | 4.08 million people | 4.08 million people | 1 |
| 1980s | 6.52 million people | 4.84 million people | 8.20 million people | 2 |
| 1990s | 6.80 million people | 6.80 million people | 6.80 million people | 1 |
| 2000s | 20.65 million people | 17.78 million people | 23.51 million people | 2 |
| 2010s | 62.39 million people | 38.19 million people | 81.78 million people | 6 |
| 2020s | 66.99 million people | 65.55 million people | 68.43 million people | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More poverty & inequality data for India
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 2 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 1.98 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 3,632 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 0.8468 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 17.32 (2023)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 17.3% (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) in India?
- Distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) in India was 68.43 million people in 2021, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 81.78 million people in 2018.
- What is the lowest distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.08 million people in 1977.
- How does India rank for distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices)?
- India ranks 6th out of 119 countries with data for 2021.
- Is distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices) rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 79.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of population between different poverty lines (2011 prices). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in households with an income or consumption above $10 per day.