New Delhi (National Times): In a landmark revelation, the World Bank has released its June 2025 Poverty Report, highlighting a significant decline in extreme poverty in India. According to the report, the percentage of Indians living in extreme poverty, defined as living on $3.00 a day (2021 PPP), has dropped dramatically from 27.12% in 2011 to just 5.25% in 2022.
This translates to a reduction in the number of people living under extreme poverty from 344.41 million in 2011 to 75.22 million in 2022, an achievement that underscores the success of India’s inclusive growth strategies over the past decade.
The report credits various policy initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for contributing significantly to this decline, particularly in rural development, social welfare, and urban upliftment. Programmes such as PM Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and rural electrification schemes have played a key role in improving the quality of life for millions.
Additionally, the Gini Index, which measures inequality, has improved from 28.78 in 2011 to 25.51 in 2022, reflecting a modest reduction in income inequality.
With this progress, India has not only pulled millions out of poverty but has also taken major strides toward achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of time.
