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| Insights from the Latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey(source-pragativadi) |
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently unveiled the key findings from the most recent nationwide Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), conducted during 2022-23 by the National Statistical Office. This survey, conducted at five-year intervals, is crucial for understanding consumption patterns across rural and urban areas, shedding light on various aspects of household spending behavior.
The absence of data from the 75th round, spanning July 2017 to June 2018, was notable due to significant changes in the economic landscape following demonetization and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Consequently, the release of the latest report after a hiatus of over a decade provides valuable insights into the evolution of consumption trends.
Key Parameters Tracked:
The HCES meticulously tracks household spending on various categories such as food, education, health, transportation, and more, offering comprehensive insights into consumption behavioral shifts over time.
Highlights:
One striking revelation from the report is the pronounced increase in rural consumption expenditure compared to urban areas over an 11-year period. Rural average monthly consumption spending per person surged by 164%, reaching Rs 3,773 in 2022-23, while urban expenditure increased by 146%, totaling Rs 6,459.
Moreover, there has been a notable shift in the purchase priorities of rural households, with the share of non-food expenditure, including consumer durables, witnessing a significant expansion. This shift underscores the changing consumption landscape in both rural and urban India.
Top and Bottom:
The report also delves into the disparities in consumption expenditure among different segments of the population. The bottom 5% of rural and urban populations exhibit significantly lower average monthly per capita consumption expenditure compared to their affluent counterparts, highlighting the persistence of economic inequalities.
Lower Poverty Projections:
Notably, the latest survey data indicates a historic decline in poverty levels, with less than 5% of the population falling below the economic poverty threshold of Rs 5000 per month. This marks a substantial improvement from previous years when poverty rates were significantly higher.
Implications:
The release of the factsheet for 2022-23 underscores the significance of this data in shaping policy decisions and assessing critical economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), poverty levels, and Consumer Price Inflation (CPI). The forthcoming detailed report is anticipated to provide further insights into the evolving consumption landscape and its implications for economic growth and development.