Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population) in India
India: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population) was 16.1% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Poverty headcount ratio 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 % of population.
Analysis
In 2023, poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India stood at 16.1%. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of down 32.6% on the previous year and down 72.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India peaked at 82.9% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 16.1%, in 2023.
India ranks 36th of 123 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population) in India, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 82.9% | — |
| 1983 | 78.0% | -5.9% |
| 1987 | 78.7% | +0.9% |
| 1993 | 76.2% | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 74.5% | -2.2% |
| 2009 | 66.1% | -11.3% |
| 2011 | 57.7% | -12.7% |
| 2022 | 23.9% | -58.6% |
| 2023 | 16.1% | -32.6% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 16.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 22.5%, 72% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
- India's 16.1% is above the median for South Asia, which is 11.5%, 1.4× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 82.9% | 82.9% | 82.9% | 1 |
| 1980s | 78.3% | 78.0% | 78.7% | 2 |
| 1990s | 76.2% | 76.2% | 76.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 70.3% | 66.1% | 74.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 57.7% | 57.7% | 57.7% | 1 |
| 2020s | 20.0% | 16.1% | 23.9% | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
- 33 Philippines 16.9% compare
- 33 Tajikistan 16.9% compare
- 35 Venezuela 16.4% compare
- 37 Nicaragua 15.7% compare
- 38 Indonesia 15.5% compare
- 39 Kosovo 14.9% compare
- 39 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 14.9% compare
More poverty & inequality data for India
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 2 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ 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 headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India?
- Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) in India was 16.1% 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 headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 82.9% in 1977.
- What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.1% in 2023.
- How does India rank for poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp)?
- India ranks 36th out of 123 countries with data for 2023.
- Is poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 72.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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 headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $4.20 a day at 2021 international prices.