PM Modi Highlights Sharp Decline In India’s Poverty; Cites World Bank Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted India’s progress in poverty reduction, sharing key findings from the World Bank’s latest report on the country’s poverty levels.

Describing the decline in extreme poverty as a significant achievement, PM Modi credited the government’s commitment to poverty alleviation and sustained development efforts.

Sharing a carousel of findings from the World Bank’s India Poverty and Equity Brief: October 2026, the Prime Minister wrote on Instagram, “A historic fall in poverty. A generational rise in opportunity.”

One of the slides carried the message, “‘Gareebi Hatao’ was never a slogan for us. It is our commitment…”, highlighting the government’s focus on poverty reduction through welfare measures and development initiatives.

According to the World Bank report, India’s extreme poverty rate fell sharply from 27.1 per cent in 2011 to 2.6 per cent in 2023.

The assessment also estimated that around 496 million people moved out of poverty during the period, based on the lower-middle-income poverty threshold.

The report measured extreme poverty using a threshold of $3 per person per day and lower-middle-income poverty at $4.20 per person per day, both calculated at 2021 purchasing power parity (PPP).

The World Bank noted that India had made considerable progress in reducing poverty across monetary and non-monetary indicators over the past decade, recording one of the fastest declines globally.

The findings point to improvements in living standards and access to essential services. However, challenges involving income inequality, employment opportunities and wage disparities continue to require attention.

India’s poverty reduction efforts remain focused on expanding economic opportunities, promoting sustainable livelihoods and ensuring inclusive development.

The report also highlights the importance of translating economic growth into improved living conditions across all sections of society.

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