Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India
India: Total population living in extreme poverty by world region was 37.19 million people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India, 1977–2023
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India is 37.19 million people, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 50.6% on the previous year and down 89.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India peaked at 531.71 million people in 2004 and was at its lowest, 37.19 million people, in 2023.
India ranks 4th of 120 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 386.87 million people | — |
| 1983 | 375.06 million people | -3.1% |
| 1987 | 423.66 million people | +13.0% |
| 1993 | 442.37 million people | +4.4% |
| 2004 | 531.71 million people | +20.2% |
| 2009 | 426.84 million people | -19.7% |
| 2011 | 344.47 million people | -19.3% |
| 2022 | 75.24 million people | -78.2% |
| 2023 | 37.19 million people | -50.6% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 37.19 million people is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.70 million people, 21.9× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- India's 37.19 million people is above the median for South Asia, which is 723,708 people, 51.4× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 386.87 million people | 386.87 million people | 386.87 million people | 1 |
| 1980s | 399.36 million people | 375.06 million people | 423.66 million people | 2 |
| 1990s | 442.37 million people | 442.37 million people | 442.37 million people | 1 |
| 2000s | 479.27 million people | 426.84 million people | 531.71 million people | 2 |
| 2010s | 344.47 million people | 344.47 million people | 344.47 million people | 1 |
| 2020s | 56.21 million people | 37.19 million people | 75.24 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 total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India?
- Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in India was 37.19 million people in 2023, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 531.71 million people in 2004.
- What is the lowest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.19 million people in 2023.
- How does India rank for total population living in extreme poverty by world region?
- India ranks 4th out of 120 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total population living in extreme poverty by world region rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 89.2%. 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 (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Total population living in extreme poverty by world region. 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 below $3 per day.