HCES Survey: 'Monthly expenditure of families has more than doubled in a decade', reveals NSSO survey

According to the most recent National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) study, households in the nation are predicted to spend more than twice as much per capita each month in 2022–2023 than they did in 2011–12.

From August 2022 to July 2023, the NSSO carried out the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) on behalf of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The Central Government announced the survey's results on February 24. Producing distinct estimates of household monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) and its distribution for states, union territories, rural and urban areas of the nation, and various socioeconomic groups is the aim of the survey.

The data shows that the average monthly expenditure among rural and urban households has become almost the same in the last two decades. According to the new survey, the average monthly per capita expenditure (MPE) among Indian households at current prices increased from Rs 2,630 to Rs 6,459 among urban households, while from Rs 1,430 to Rs 3,773 among rural households, since 2011-12.

According to the study, the average MPCE in urban areas at 2011-12 prices (without alternative data) is expected to increase from Rs 2,630 in 2011-12 to Rs 3,510 in 2022-23. Similarly, in rural areas, it has increased from Rs 1,430 to Rs 2,008.

It revealed that the average MPCE at current prices in urban areas (with alternative data) has also increased from Rs 2,630 in 2011-12 to Rs 6,521 in 2022-23. Similarly, in rural areas, it has increased from Rs 1,430 to Rs 3,860.

The MPCE estimates are based on data collected from 2,61,746 households (1,55,014 in rural areas and 1,06,732 in urban areas) across all states and union territories.