Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Indian Household Spending Shifts to Asset Building
A recent report shows that Indian households are spending more on things like cars, refrigerators, and mobile phones instead of just basic needs like clothes.
This change is happening even among the poorer households.
The report says that people are buying more durable goods, especially in cities.
Cars are the fastest-growing asset, while TV ownership is growing slower.
Mobile phones are almost everywhere, and fewer households are without any durable assets.
This shift is good for the economy and living standards.
Household spending in India is shifting from basic necessities to asset-building categories like personal goods and appliances.
Motor vehicle ownership is the fastest-growing durable asset, with significant urban-rural convergence.
Television ownership has increased at a slower pace, with declines in some urban areas.
Mobile phones have achieved near-universal adoption across all consumption groups.
Households without any durable assets now account for 5% or lower across all groups and geographies.
- Who
- Indian households, particularly the bottom 40 per cent
- What
- Shift in spending from basic necessities to asset-building
- When
- Survey data from 2011-12 and 2023-24
- Where
- Across India, with notable urban-rural convergence
- Why
- Driven by rising awareness, improved financial access, and better market connectivity
- Report Source
- Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)
- Survey Period
- 2011-12 and 2023-24
- Fastest-Growing Durable Asset
- Motor Vehicles
- Slowest-Growing Durable Asset
- Televisions
- Near-Universal Mobile Access
- Yes
- Households Without Durable Assets
- 5% or lower