India pulled 500m people out of poverty. Many of them still barely survive

The World Bank reports that India lifted nearly 500 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, reducing extreme poverty from 27.1 percent to 2.6 percent. Despite this, economists and citizens argue the poverty threshold is too low for a dignified life. India has not published official consumption-based poverty estimates in over a decade, leaving the World Bank to provide data.

Many households remain vulnerable to economic shocks, including pandemics or health crises, which can push them back into destitution. While government food-security programs and rising female labor participation provide some support, high living costs and stagnant wages persist. Families like Hema Prajapat’s struggle with debt and limited access to quality public healthcare, forcing reliance on expensive private services.

Experts note that the current poverty line fails to distinguish between rural and urban realities, leaving millions living on the edge.