Per Capita Income of India in Rs: A Comprehensive Overview

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The per capita income of India in rupees is a crucial indicator of the country's economic growth and standard of living. According to the World Bank, India's per capita income in 2020 was 1,73,500 rupees.

India's per capita income has shown a steady increase over the years, with a growth rate of 5.8% in 2020. This is a significant improvement from the 3.8% growth rate in 2010.

However, the per capita income varies greatly across different states in India, with some states like Delhi and Maharashtra having a much higher per capita income than others.

Understanding Per Capita Income

Per capita income is a measure of the average income earned by an individual in India within a period of one year. It's an important indicator of the country's economic development and living standards.

India's per capita income has been increasing over the years. According to the data from the NSO, per capita GDP in India increased by 8.0% from INR 100,981 in 2020-21 to INR 115,490 in 2022-23.

Credit: youtube.com, Per Capita GDP

Here are some key statistics on India's per capita income:

The increase in per capita income is not uniform across the population, with most of the growth accruing to the top 10 percent of the population, as noted by economist Jayati Ghosh. This highlights the challenge of wealth distribution in India and the need for sustainable development that benefits all segments of society.

What Is in Reality?

Per capita income is a complex topic, and what's often reported may not be the whole story. India's per capita net national income (NNI) increased by about 35 percent from INR 72,805 in 2014-15 to INR 98,118 in 2022-23.

The data takes into account the impact of inflation, and it's essential to consider this when evaluating income growth. Most of the increase in income accrues to the top 10 percent of the population.

Let's take a closer look at the numbers. According to the table from the NSO, India's per capita GDP increased from INR 100,981 in 2020-21 to INR 115,490 in 2022-23. This represents an 8.0% increase.

Detailed close-up of Indian rupees and coins, symbolizing economy and finance.
Credit: pexels.com, Detailed close-up of Indian rupees and coins, symbolizing economy and finance.

The growth in per capita GNI was slightly lower, at 7.3% from INR 99,578 in 2020-21 to INR 113,144 in 2022-23. Per capita NNI growth was close behind, at 7.6% from INR 86,054 in 2020-21 to INR 98,118 in 2022-23.

Here's a summary of the growth in per capita income:

The table highlights the growth in per capita income over the past few years, but it's essential to note that most of the increase has gone to the top 10 percent of the population.

What Is Nominal GDP?

Nominal GDP is a crucial concept in understanding per capita income. It refers to the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders during a specific period, without adjusting for inflation.

The table below shows the nominal GDP per capita income in India for the years 2020-21 to 2022-23, based on the Second Advance Estimates of National Income and Expenditure Components of GDP.

The nominal GDP per capita income in India has been increasing steadily, with a percentage change over the previous year of 14.7% in 2022-23. This indicates a significant growth in the country's economy, but it's essential to consider the impact of inflation on these numbers.

Purchasing Power

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Comparing the prices of goods and services between countries can be tricky, as one US dollar can buy a lot more in rural India than in New York City.

The PPP method creates a unit of measurement called the international dollar that can buy the same amount of goods and services in any country.

The UK's per capita income in 2022 in US dollar terms was 20 times that of India's, but in purchasing power parity terms, it was less than seven times that of India's.

Per capita income is an important concept in understanding economic activity, and it's often measured in terms of GDP, which is the monetary value of all goods and services produced during a particular period.

In India, the national statistical office uses per capita net national income as the measure of per capita income, which is adjusted for depreciation of fixed assets.

70 million individuals filed income tax returns in India in the financial year 2022-23, according to the Income Tax Department.

UPSC

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Understanding Per Capita Income is crucial for gauging the level of development in India as a whole. The Central Statistical Organization calculates Per Capita Income by dividing National Income by the total population of India.

Per Capita Income is determined by the sum total of the monetary value of goods and services produced in India within a year. The National Income of India is a significant factor in this calculation.

The calculation of Per Capita Income is essential for understanding the economic status of India's states. The Central Statistical Organization plays a vital role in this process.

Other institutions like RBI also publish their estimates of Per Capita Income. This helps in having a comprehensive view of India's economic development.

Factors Affecting Per Capita Income

India's per capita income is influenced by its position in the global economy. The country's GDP per capita is projected at $2,698 in 2024, ranking 144th out of 194 economies.

From above of crop anonymous economist calculating total amount of income using calculator app on cellphone near piles of greenbacks and notebook with pen
Credit: pexels.com, From above of crop anonymous economist calculating total amount of income using calculator app on cellphone near piles of greenbacks and notebook with pen

This ranking is a significant improvement from 1993, when India's GDP per capita was just 6.46% of the global average. Today, it stands at 19.5%, showing a notable increase.

The value of India's nominal per capita income is over 50 times lower than that of the richest country, but it's around 8.4 times greater than the world's poorest country.

The country's per capita income in terms of PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) is 11,112 International dollars in 2024, which is almost 45.4% of the world's GDP per capita.

Uneven Wealth Distribution Affects Progress Metrics

Uneven wealth distribution in India skews progress in per capita metrics. The top one percent in India owned more than 40.5 percent of total wealth in 2021, while the bottom 50 percent of the population had around three percent of total wealth.

Close to 70 percent of India's population live in rural areas, and around 54 percent of the population still depend on agriculture as their primary income source. This is largely because India is still a rural-agrarian economy.

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The pandemic has further exacerbated the issue, with billionaires in India witnessing a 121 percent growth in their wealth from the start of the pandemic to November 2022. This growth translates to INR 36.08 billion per day in real terms.

As a result, India is witnessing a K-shaped economic recovery post-pandemic, with consumption slowing down and household savings declining.

GDP

GDP is a key indicator of a country's economic performance, and India's GDP per capita has seen significant improvements over the years. In 2024, India's GDP per capita is projected at $2,698 at current prices.

India ranks 144th out of 194 economies in terms of GDP per capita, but has made notable progress, with its GDP per capita increasing from 6.46% of the global GDP per capita in 1993 to 19.5% in 2024.

The nominal GDP per capita of India in 2023-24 is estimated at ₹ 211,725, a significant increase from ₹ 194,879 in 2022-23. This growth is a positive trend, but it's essential to consider the country's performance in real terms as well.

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Credit: pexels.com, Detailed view of Indian rupee banknotes and coins, showcasing currency variety.

At constant (2011-12) prices, GDP per capita is 124,600 INR for 2023-24, indicating a slight decrease in real terms compared to the previous year. This highlights the importance of considering inflation when evaluating economic growth.

The per capita net national income (NNI) of India at current prices during 2023-24 is estimated to have attained a level of 184,205 Indian rupees, a notable increase from 169,496 INR for the year 2022-23.

Calculating Per Capita Income

Calculating Per Capita Income is a straightforward process that involves some basic math. The Central Statistical Organization is responsible for calculating Per Capita Income in India.

To calculate Per Capita Income, you need to know the National Income and the total population of India. National Income is the sum total of the monetary value of goods and services produced in India within a year.

There are three methods to determine National Income: Product Method, Income Method, and Expenditure Method. The Product Method takes into account the monetary value of all goods and services produced by the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.

Close-up of a 5 Rupee coin commemorating India's 75th year of independence, set against the Indian flag.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a 5 Rupee coin commemorating India's 75th year of independence, set against the Indian flag.

The Income Method calculates National Income by summing up the income generated by all individuals and companies before taxes. The Expenditure Method uses the formula C + I + G (X - M), where C is consumer spending, I is investments, G is government spending, M is imports, and X is exports.

The Central Statistical Organization uses these methods to calculate National Income, which is then divided by the total population of India to determine Per Capita Income. Other institutions like RBI also publish their estimates, and international organizations like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank provide periodic data for most countries, including India.

State-Wise Per Capita Income

Sikkim tops the list of Indian states with the highest per capita income, with a net state domestic product (NSDP) per capita of ₹587,743 as of 2023-24. This is a significant increase of 12.9% from the previous year.

The top five states with the highest per capita income are: Sikkim, Goa, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Telangana. However, please note that Goa and Chandigarh's latest data is not available for 2023-24.

Here's a list of the top 5 states with their per capita income in ₹:

States Wise List

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Sikkim takes the top spot in the list of states with the highest per capita income in India, with a net state domestic product (NSDP) per capita of approximately ₹587,743.

The state of Sikkim saw a significant increase in its per capita income, with a growth rate of 12.9% from the previous year.

Goa and Delhi follow closely behind, but unfortunately, the latest data for these states is not available for the financial year 2023-24.

Delhi's per capita income is ₹461,910, which is a notable figure considering the state's population density.

Telangana ranks fifth on the list with a per capita income of ₹356,564, showing a growth rate of 14.1% from the previous year.

Here's a list of the top 5 states with the highest per capita income in India, based on the latest available data:

Karnataka ranks sixth on the list with a per capita income of ₹332,926, showing a growth rate of 9.3% from the previous year.

History

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Credit: pexels.com, Vibrant and messy Asian market with people, goods, and motorbikes in a busy outdoor setting.

India's history is a complex one, with periods of prosperity and decline. The country was once a dominant force in world trade, but the arrival of the Britishers changed everything.

The British established their rule after the Battle of Plassey, turning India into a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of finished products. This shift was driven by the British Policy of Economic Imperialism, which imposed heavy duties on Indian exports.

Indian-made goods were flooded with cheaper British-made goods, making it difficult for local industries to compete. The Industrial Revolution in Britain had given them a significant advantage in terms of mechanized production.

The Indian intelligentsia was quick to notice this process, which was pushing India towards economic backwardness. Dadabhai Naoroji was one of the first Indians to try to measure the country's per capita income, which he estimated to be Rs. 20 in 1867-68.

Naoroji's "drain of wealth theory" described how Indian wealth was being drained out by the British. Other prominent Indian economists, such as VKRV Rao, R. C. Dutt, and William Digby, also made attempts to calculate the per capita income of India during the pre-independence period.

Indian Rupee
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However, their calculations were limited by the lack of accurate data and refined methodology. It wasn't until after independence that the quality of data collection and the number of institutions involved in the process increased.

Here are the names of some of the early economists who calculated the per capita income of India:

  • Dadabhai Naoroji
  • VKRV Rao
  • R. C. Dutt
  • William Digby

India's

India's economy is growing rapidly, with a projected GDP of $3.7 trillion in 2023, making it a significant player in the global market. The Indian economy is expected to become the fourth largest in the world by 2024.

India's GDP is projected to continue growing, reaching $4.5 trillion by 2027, when it's expected to become the third largest economy globally.

India's economic growth is a testament to the country's growing middle class and increasing economic opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average income per person in India?

The average monthly income in India ranges from ₹8,000 to ₹1,43,000, with an annual average base pay of approximately ₹9,45,489. This figure is based on 2024 data from Glassdoor.

Angie Ernser

Senior Writer

Angie Ernser is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in financial markets. Her expertise lies in municipal bond investments, where she provides clear and insightful analysis to help readers understand the complexities of municipal bond markets. Ernser's articles are known for their clarity and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for both novice and experienced investors.

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