New Delhi, July 5
In yet another significant achievement for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, India's Gini Index now stands at 25.5, making it the fourth most equal country in the world, after the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Belarus, according to a World Bank report.
The Gini Index is a simple yet powerful way to understand how equally income, wealth or consumption is distributed across households or individuals in a country.
It ranges in value from 0 to 100. A score of 0 means perfect equality. A score of 100 means one person has all the income, wealth or consumption and others have none, hence absolute inequality. The higher the Gini Index, the more unequal the country.
India's score is much lower than China's 35.7 and far lower than the United States, which stands at 41.8. It is also more equal than every G7 and G20 country, many of which are considered advanced economies.
India is not only the world's fourth-largest economy; it is also one of the most equal societies today. This is a remarkable achievement for a country of its size and diversity. It reflects how India's economic progress is being shared more evenly across its population. Behind this success is a consistent policy focus on reducing poverty, expanding financial access, and delivering welfare support directly to those who need it most.