UNEQUAL AMONGST EQUAL ?

16 Sep 2011

UNEQUAL  AMONGST  EQUAL ?

Do you want to compare official “ Poverty “ between Indians and Americans ?

Here are figures published by India’s NSSO [ National Sample Survey Organization ] and America’s Census Bureau:

• Percentage population categorized as “ Poor “

·       India  …………………  32 %      [ 387     million people  ]

·       America  …………….  15.1 %   [  46.2  million people  ]

• Definition of a “ Poor Family “ of four (including 2 kids)

·     India   ………………….  Earning less than $  380      per year

·       America  ………………  Earning less than $  22,113  per year

What is the %age of American family earning $ 380 / year ?

·     Ethnic distribution of poor in America

·       Blacks and Hispanics  …………  54   %

·       Asians  ………………………………..  12.1 %

·       Whites  …………………………………. 9.9  %

But whereas poverty % in USA is climbing [ highest in 52 years ], our Planning Commission would have us believe that India’s poverty % declined from 37 % in 2004 to a mere 32 % in 2009 !

Cheer up , you poor of India  ! A bright future awaits you !

With regards

HEMEN  PAREKH