Rural-Urban Gap in Household Expenses Narrows Over 18 Years, Though Disparities Remain

• Average monthly household expenses increased over 6 times in rural areas and nearly 5 times in urban areas over the past 18 years • Rural-urban gap in expenses reduced from 84% in 2011-12 to 71% in 2022-23 • In 2022-23, bottom 5% rural population had avg MPCE of Rs 1,373 vs Rs 2,001 for bottom 5% urban • Avg monthly expenses highest in Sikkim (rural Rs 7,731, urban Rs 12,105) and lowest in Chhattisgarh (rural Rs 2,466, urban Rs 4,483)
• Avg monthly food costs were Rs 1,750 (rural) and Rs 2,530 (urban); non-food costs at Rs 2,023 (rural) and Rs 3,929 (urban)