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Urbanisation key to India's developed nation goal by 2047: Panagariya

Urbanisation key to India's developed nation goal by 2047: Panagariya
Urbanisation key to India’s developed nation goal by 2047: Panagariya · livemint.com

India wants to become a rich, developed country by the year 2047.

A famous economist named Arvind Panagariya says this will only happen if far more people move into cities.

He said no country in the world has ever become rich without lots of people living in cities.

Right now, about 35 out of every 100 people in India live in cities.

The government in Delhi has already done most of the big changes it can make on its own.

So Panagariya says it is now up to India's state governments to make new rules.

He says cities need more land for homes and factories, but land is too expensive and hard to get.

He wants simpler rules so buildings can be taller, unused government land can be used, and more workers can find places to live.

If states fix these problems, Panagariya believes India can keep growing fast and become a developed country by 2047.

Key facts

Speaker
Arvind Panagariya
Event
NCAER India Policy Forum 2026
Location
New Delhi
India's urbanization rate (today)
Estimated at around 35%
Urban population in 1951
17%
Urban population in 2001
About 28%
National goal
Developed economy by 2047
Comparison cited
South Korea rose from nearly 35% to 80% urbanization in three decades

Quotes

Arvind Panagariya

Economist and former 16th Finance Commission chairman

“"If we are really looking at 2047 as the target date for a developed India, urbanization has to happen. Countries may urbanize without becoming rich, but no country has become rich without becoming urban."”
livemint.com

Sources

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