ThePrint ThePrintPod: Don’t count countries above India in per capita GDP. Look at the population instead
Jun 11, 2025
India's rise to being the fourth-largest economy sparks intriguing discussions on its economic growth. The podcast delves into per capita GDP and the importance of considering population in the analysis. Significant strides in reducing multidimensional poverty are highlighted, showcasing positive changes from 2005 to 2021. The comparison with rising poverty in developed nations, particularly the UK, adds a compelling angle. Overall, the episode urges listeners to understand the complexities behind these economic indicators.
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India's Rapid Economic Rise
- India rose from the 10th to 4th largest economy in 11 years, reaching $4.18 trillion GDP in 2025.
- On PPP scale, India was 3rd largest in 2011, showing faster growth due to rupee's purchasing power.
Population Matters More Than Ranking
- India's per capita GDP ranks low globally, but many countries above India in ranking have much smaller populations.
- Poverty reduction efforts should focus on population impact rather than just per capita GDP rankings.
Stark Reduction in Multidimensional Poverty
- India drastically reduced multidimensional poverty from 41.3% in 2005-06 to 11.28% in 2022-23.
- Major improvements occurred in nutrition, sanitation, education, and health access.