Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 5: In a notable milestone for the Modi-led government, India has achieved a Gini Index score of 25.5, positioning it as the fourth most equal country globally, just behind the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus, according to the latest World Bank report.
The Gini Index is a widely used metric to gauge income and wealth inequality in a population. Ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (absolute inequality), a lower score signifies more equitable distribution. India’s score of 25.5 reflects a remarkable level of income equality, outperforming major global economies, including China (35.7) and the United States (41.8), as well as all G7 and G20 countries.
This achievement underscores India’s transformation—not only as the world’s fourth-largest economy but also as one of the most economically equal large nations. The report credits India's balanced development policies that have ensured inclusive growth across urban and rural regions.
According to an official government statement, this progress is a direct result of focused poverty alleviation and welfare-driven economic strategies. “It’s not a coincidence,” the statement notes. “It’s a product of consistent efforts to reduce poverty, expand financial access, and directly empower citizens.”
The Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief by the World Bank highlights that over the past decade, 171 million Indians have been lifted out of extreme poverty. The proportion of people living on less than $2.15 a day—the global poverty benchmark until June 2025—has plummeted from 16.2% in 2011-12 to just 2.3% in 2022-23. Under the newly adjusted $3.00/day threshold, the poverty rate stands at 5.3%.
This dramatic shift is attributed to a suite of targeted welfare programs launched over the last decade, including:
• PM Jan Dhan Yojana – for financial inclusion
• Aadhaar and Digital Identity – enabling targeted service delivery
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – reducing leakage and ensuring benefits reach the needy
• Ayushman Bharat – expanding healthcare access
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) – ensuring food security
• Stand-Up India and PM Vishwakarma Yojana – supporting entrepreneurship and self-employment
“What truly distinguishes India,” the report notes, “is its unique ability to combine market-driven reforms with robust social protection. While schemes like DBT and Ayushman Bharat address immediate needs, programs like Stand-Up India and PM Vishwakarma Yojana empower citizens to build long-term financial security.”
India’s improved Gini Index stands as a testament to its evolving economic model—one that seeks to foster both growth and equity in a nation of over 1.4 billion.