Pandemic, Poverty, and Inequality: Evidence from India

Author/Editor:

Surjit Bhalla ; Karan Bhasin ; Arvind Virmani

Publication Date:

April 5, 2022

Electronic Access:

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Summary:

The paper presents estimates of poverty [extreme poverty PPP$1.9 and PPP$3.2] and consumption inequality in India for each of the years 2004-5 through the pandemic year 2020-21. These estimates include, for the first time, the effect of in-kind food subsides on poverty and inequality. Extreme poverty was as low as 0.8 percent in the pre-pandemic year 2019, and food transfers were instrumental in ensuring that it remained at that low level in pandemic year 2020. Post-food subsidy inequality at .294 is now very close to its lowest level 0.284 observed in 1993/94.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2022/069

Subject:

Frequency:

regular

English

Publication Date:

April 5, 2022

ISBN/ISSN:

9798400205170/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2022069

Pages:

52

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