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Has Indian inequality declined? Post-tax income data holds the answer
Ram Singh Mumbai
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A recent World Bank (WB) report has claimed that between 2011-12 and 2022-23, India significantly reduced consumption inequality. India's Gini coefficient (a measure of inequality) is ranked as the fourth-lowest in the world. The WB's estimates of Indian inequality are based on the official Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 data, after accounting for some but not all government-provided free goods, and excluding consumer durables.
Many who are accustomed to media reports claiming high inequality in the country have responded to the WB's claims with scepticism or outright dismissal. The critics argue that, as HCES data does not capture consumption
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