Archive · 29 May 2025
Delhi Founder: Salary Stagnation Hurts India's Middle Class
A Delhi-based startup founder shared concerns about the financial struggles of India's middle class.
They're facing pressure due to rising expenses and stagnant incomes.
One example highlights a friend with a high salary struggling to cover costs like rent, home loans, and daily expenses.
The founder criticized policies for not supporting the middle class, who pay taxes but don't get enough benefits.
Salary growth has been very slow in the last decade while food prices have risen significantly.
He warns that without change, India risks harming its most productive citizens and building a nation where people are anxious.
A Delhi-based startup founder highlighted financial struggles of India's middle class.
Rising expenses and stagnant incomes are causing financial pressure.
Salaries between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 crore have grown only 0.4% annually over the past decade.
Food prices have jumped 80% since 2013.
India’s personal debt has surged to 43% of GDP.
- Who
- Madhav Kasturia, a Delhi-based startup founder, highlighted the issue.
- What
- The middle class is experiencing financial pressure due to rising expenses and stagnant incomes, leading to increased debt.
- When
- The observations are recent; the article was published on May 29, 2025, with trends examined over the past decade.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Rising expenses, stagnant incomes, and lack of policy focus are creating financial pressure on the middle class.
- Startup Founder's Location
- Delhi-based
- Friend's Salary
- Rs 30 lakh
- Salary growth (Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore) over past decade
- 0.4%
- Food price increase since 2013
- 80%
- Personal debt as percentage of GDP
- 43%