Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (%) in India
India: Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (%) was 2.6% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) in India, 1977–2023
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India is 2.6%, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 40.9% on the previous year and down 83.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India peaked at 33.9% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 2.6%, in 2023.
India ranks 45th of 123 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (%) in India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 33.9% | — |
| 1983 | 29.0% | -14.5% |
| 1987 | 29.1% | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 26.4% | -9.3% |
| 2004 | 25.6% | -3.0% |
| 2009 | 20.0% | -21.9% |
| 2011 | 16.1% | -19.5% |
| 2022 | 4.4% | -72.7% |
| 2023 | 2.6% | -40.9% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 2.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.8%, 38% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
- India's 2.6% is above the median for South Asia, which is 2.2%, 1.2× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 33.9% | 33.9% | 33.9% | 1 |
| 1980s | 29.1% | 29.0% | 29.1% | 2 |
| 1990s | 26.4% | 26.4% | 26.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 22.8% | 20.0% | 25.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 16.1% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 1 |
| 2020s | 3.5% | 2.6% | 4.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More poverty & inequality data for India
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 2 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ 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 poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India?
- Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India was 2.6% in 2023, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 33.9% in 1977.
- What is the lowest poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.6% in 2023.
- How does India rank for poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp)?
- India ranks 45th out of 123 countries with data for 2023.
- Is poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 83.9%. 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. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $4.20 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.