Archive · 3 Jul 2025
India: Calorie Gap Narrows Between Rich and Poor
The difference in how many calories the richest and poorest people in India eat is getting smaller.
Rich people are eating a bit less, and poor people are eating a bit more.
Overall, people are eating slightly fewer calories than before.
People in cities are eating less fat, but those in the country are eating more.
Protein intake has stayed about the same.
Calorie intake gap between the wealthiest and poorest narrowed in 2023-24.
Top 5% of Indians decreased calorie consumption in both urban and rural areas.
Bottom 5% increased calorie intake in both urban and rural regions.
Overall per capita calorie intake decreased in rural and urban areas.
Fat intake increased in rural areas, while urban areas saw a decrease.
- Who
- Top 5% and bottom 5% of consumers in India, measured by expenditure.
- What
- Gap in calorie intake between India's richest and poorest narrowed in 2023-24.
- When
- 2023-24, compared to 2022-23 and 2011-12
- Where
- India
- Why
- Changes in consumption patterns.
Consumption Trends
Economic Data
Income Disparity
Consumption Trends
The narrowing gap indicates improving nutritional intake among the poorest segments of the population.
Economic Data
The income inequality in India still has a very long way to go, even with this progress. The disparity between the calorie intake of the poorest and wealthiest is still considerable.
- Urban Top 5% Calorie Intake (2023-24)
- 3,092 Kcal
- Urban Bottom 5% Calorie Intake (2023-24)
- 1,696 Kcal
- Rural Top 5% Calorie Intake (2023-24)
- 2,941 Kcal
- Rural Bottom 5% Calorie Intake (2023-24)
- 1,688 Kcal
- Urban Fat Intake (2023-24)
- 69.8 gm
- Rural Fat Intake (2023-24)
- 60.4 gm
