Average Indian's monthly spend rises, finds survey

The average Indian's monthly spending increased 9.2% to ₹4,122 in rural areas and 8.3% to ₹6,996 in urban regions during 2023-24 compared to the previous year, with food driving rural growth while non-food items propelled urban expenditure, according to official data released on Friday.

- Abhishek Jha

NEW DELHI:

The National Statistics Office's Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) showed poorer classes increased spending at a faster rate while expenditure by the richest declined even in nominal terms, leading to reduced consumption inequality.

In rural India, food accounted for 54% of the ₹349 rise in spending. Vegetables, beverages and processed food, and dairy products contributed 35% of this growth.

Among non-food items, clothing, bedding and footwear had the largest share at 12.3% of the rise in total rural spending.