Per capita is an average.

Data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HSCE) from August 2022 to July 2023 show an increase in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) compared to 2011-12. MPCE at current prices increased from Rs 1,430 to Rs 3,773 in rural areas and from Rs 2,630 to Rs 6,459 in urban areas. After accounting for inflation, MPCE increased to Rs 2,008 in rural areas and to Rs 3,510 in urban areas. Adding free handouts from the government, MPCE increased to Rs 3860 in rural and Rs 6,521 in urban areas at current prices, and to Rs 2,054 in rural and Rs 3,544 in urban areas after accounting for inflation. Thus, rural areas are getting Rs 46 per month and urban areas are getting Rs 34 in handouts after accounting for inflation. pib.gov.in. Why have they been sitting on this good news for 6 months? Release it two months before election, scrounge some votes. No shame. Spending has increased by 40.4% in rural areas and by 33.5 in urban areas at constant prices. The share of spending on food has dropped from 52.9% to 46.4% in rural areas and from 42.6% to 39.2% in urban areas. In rural areas, MPCE of the top 5% is Rs 10,501 and Rs 1,373 for the bottom 5%, while it is Rs 20,824 for the top 5% and Rs 2,001 for the bottom 5% in urban areas. "Over time, the consumption pattern has evolved as follows: from cereals to non-cereals; from carbohydrates to proteins, including milk, eggs, poultry and meat; from home-cooked to packaged food, including restaurants, and from food to non-food." "At the macro level, this is due to higher incomes and a greater share going to non-food items such as durables and services," wrote Ajit Ranade. "In nominal terms, the growth during the 8 years from 2004-05 to 2011-12 works out to 147% (or 18% per year), while from 2011-12 to 2022-23, consumption grew by 164% or by less than 15% each year. That's for rural areas. For urban areas, the per-year growth is 17.2% from 2004-05 to 2011-12, while from 2011-12 to 2022-23, the per-year growth is 13.2%," wrote Lata Venkatesh. So, the rate of growth in spending is slowing down. "By 2031, India will add about 75 million middle-class (Rs 0.5-3 million annual household income) and 25 million rich households (more than Rs 3 million)." "Because per capita income levels are expected to grow by 10% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) to about $5,200 in 2031 from $2400 in 2023," wrote Rajesh Shukla. Therefore, "Trend is towards premiumisation." "Ultra-high Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) are defined as individuals having a net worth of USD 30 million and above." According to a report by real estate consultant Knight Frank, "the number of UHNWIs in India grew 6.1% to 13,623 in 2023 as against 12,495 individuals in the previous year. The number of UHNWIs in India is expected to expand to 19,908 by 2028." News18. Per capita means an average. Hides unequal consumption.