49.6 Crore Indians Lifted Out Of Poverty? What The World Bank Report Says About India

India lifted an estimated 49.6 crore people out of poverty between 2011–12 and 2023–24, according to the World Bank's October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief. The share of the population living below the lower-middle-income poverty line of $4.20 a day fell from 57.7% to 16.1%. Extreme poverty, measured at $3 a day, also declined sharply from 27.1% to 2.6%. The World Bank attributes the progress to rising consumption, increased employment — particularly among women — and expanded social transfers, including food subsidies. However, the report flags persistent wage disparities, with median earnings among the top 10% of workers around 13 times those of the bottom 10%. The findings have sparked a political exchange, with the BJP highlighting poverty reduction and the Congress drawing attention to inequality and employment challenges.