Leveling the Playing Field: India’s Gini-ous Move Toward Equality

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India is now the world's most even society by income, ranking fourth in the World Bank's current Gini Index ratings. India, with a score of 25.5, ranks ahead of economic giants the United States and China, a historic shift in the socio-economic narrative of the nation.

Progress Markers What the Numbers Tell Us

India's Gini Index dropped from 28.8 in 2011 to 25.5 in 2023, showing a sharp decline in income inequality.

The nation is now only behind Belarus, Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic in income equality.

On the other hand, China and the US registered 35.7 and 41.8 respectively, which were significantly behind India.

Over 171 million Indians were lifted out of poverty from 2011 to 2023.

The poverty rate fell from 16.2 percent to just 2.3 percent during the same period, under the international benchmark of $2.15 a day.

Policy Drivers What's Driving the Change

Jan Dhan Yojana: Over 55 crore accounts have been opened, enabling financial inclusion at scale.

Aadhaar and Digital Identity: 142 crore Aadhaar cards issued, making welfare delivery easier.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Saved the government Rs 3.48 lakh crore by reducing leakages.

Ayushman Bharat: 41 crore health cards issued with Rs 5 lakh cover for every family.

PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Around 30 lakh artisans supported with monetary aid and training.

PMGKAY: Distribution of the food grains for free to over 80 crore citizens during, and after the pandemic.

Equity Matters How People's Lives Are Changing

Poor and rural populations are becoming increasingly connected to the formal economy.

Women and the poor have been provided with increased access to credit and health.

Welfare programs are extending to last-mile recipients with fewer administrative barriers.

The digital infrastructure has enabled real-time monitoring and transparency in public spending. Global Perspective India's Role in the World

India is currently more income-equal than all of G7 and G20 nations combined.

The country's technologically oriented model of welfare provisioning is being examined as a model of inclusive growth.

Experts indicate that India is on the cusp of entering the "low inequality" group, should the trend continue.

Sources: Moneycontrol, India TV News, News18, MSN India, Business Today, Livemint, All India Radio News