Poverty and Inequality in Urban India with Special Reference to West Bengal: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The rapid growth of urban population of developing nations witnessed in the twentieth century has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in urban poverty incidence in these nations. According to the World Development Report (2000–2001), nearly half of the poor people of the world reside in South Asia, though it is home to just about 30% of the population of the world. In India, the discussion on poverty has been dominated by rural poverty due to its sheer volume (Planning Commission estimates). With fast increase in urban population, trends and linkages of urban poverty have crucial implications regarding the basic services and infrastructure that is required for maintaining a dignified life. Though India managed to achieve the Millennium Development Goal target of 50% reduction in poverty rate but according to 2011–2012 estimates, nearly 22% of India’s population is still below the poverty line. This calls for exploring issues related to urban poverty. © Asian Development Bank 2019.