World Bank Report Says India Ranked 4th Among World’s Most Equal Countries
According to the World Bank, India was ranked fourth in the world for equality by the Gini Index for 2025. With a rating of 25.5, India has achieved considerable equality of income, for many developed countries are below India’s ranking. This significant for such a large and diverse country demonstrates that government initiatives and efforts to reduce poverty create meaningful change.
The GINI Index measures equality of income (population of country) an index of 0 indicates perfect equality (everyone sharing resources equally) but 100 suggests total inequality (truly unequal, where one or few people share all the resources). India’s grading of 25.5 indicates a level of equality experienced by is one of the most equal countries in the world, ranking just behind Slovak Republic (24.1), Slovenia (24.3) , and Belarus (24.4).
India’s ranking exceeds that of China (35.7), the United States (41.8), nor countries in the G7 or G20. In 2011, India’s Gini score was 28.8, demonstrating a gradual and stable process of economic development that has improved equality levels over the past ten years. The original report published by the World Bank used data collected between 2019/2020 to 2022/2023 for the report which surveys 167 countries over a wide range of aspects.
Big Drop in Poverty Rates
India’s progressively improved equality coincides with the rapid reduction in poverty. The World Bank’s Spring 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief reports that extreme poverty has declined from 16.2% in 2011-12 to just 2.3% in 2022-23, suggesting that 171 million Indians emerging from poverty levels over the past 12 years.
In terms of the new global poverty line of $3/day the poverty rate for 2022-23 is still low (5.3%), reflecting the longer, long-term commitment predominantly towards betterment of lives for the population in urban and rural settings.
Important Government Schemes That Have Helped
There are numerous government schemes that have contributed to reduced poverty, and increased income equality. A few of these include,
• PM Jan Dhan Yojana: More than 55.69 crore people now have bank accounts which facilitate direct transfer of the benefit.
• Aadhaar & DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer): More than 142 crore Aadhaar cards have been issued providing that the benefits reach the real beneficiary. DBT has saved the government ₹3.48 lakh crore.
• Ayushman Bharat: This health scheme has issued more than 41.34 crore cards offering free treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family, per year. There is also a special scheme for those 70+ age group without income considerations.
• Stand-Up India: This scheme provides loans to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs which has funded ₹62,807 crore.
• PM Vishwakarma Yojana: A total of 29.95 lakh artisans are registered and they have received tools, support for training, and support for credit.
• PMGKAY (Free Food Grains Scheme): It has reached 80.67 crore beneficiaries ensuring food security during most adverse times such as COVID-19.