The share of food items in monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) dropped in 2017-2018 compared to 2010-2011 while the share of expenditure on fuel and light increased, according to the Household Consumer Expenditure survey 2017-18.
The unpublished survey, accessed by The Hindu, was junked by the Centre, citing ‘data quality issues’. The survey was conducted by the National Statistics Office from July 2017 to June 2018 and covered 80 lakh persons.
In rural areas, the expenditure on food items was relatively higher than the urban areas.
State of expenses The following chart shows the State-wise MPCE in rural and urban areas across major States. It shows that while the expenditure is highest in urban Telangana and Delhi, it is the lowest in rural Bihar and Odisha.
The urban-rural gap in expenditure is the highest in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana, while it is the lowest in Kerala.
Geographic divide The largest share of expenditure in rural areas was for cereals. In urban areas, it was for beverages and other refreshments.
Changes over time The share of expenditure on cereals declined in rural and urban areas, marking a steeper decline in the former. Graphs show the change in the top expenses across rural and urban areas compared to the past two National Statistical Office surveys.
The share of rent and education expenses have escalated the most in urban areas.
You have reached your limit for free articles this month.
*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper, crossword and print.
A letter from the Editor
Dear reader,
We have been keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world that have a bearing on our health and wellbeing, our lives and livelihoods, during these difficult times. To enable wide dissemination of news that is in public interest, we have increased the number of articles that can be read free, and extended free trial periods. However, we have a request for those who can afford to subscribe: please do. As we fight disinformation and misinformation, and keep apace with the happenings, we need to commit greater resources to news gathering operations. We promise to deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Please Email the Editor