The debate of who has more poor, India or China, has been a long-standing one. Both countries have experienced a reduction in poverty over the past decade, but the numbers vary greatly. From 2001 to 2011, the poverty rate in China fell from 41% to 12%, while the poverty rate in India dropped from 35% to 20%.
When looking at the absolute number of people living in poverty, India has a higher number than China. In 2011, the World Bank estimated that there were approximately 360 million people living in poverty in India, compared to the estimated 128 million people living in poverty in China.
The poverty rate in India is higher than that of China for a number of reasons. One of the primary factors is the population size. India has a population of 1.2 billion people, while China has a population of 1.3 billion people. This means that even though the poverty rate in India is lower than that of China, the sheer number of people living in poverty is much higher.
In addition, the economic growth rate in China is much higher than that of India. From 2001 to 2011, the economic growth rate in China was an average of 9.5%, while the economic growth rate in India was an average of 6.7%. This higher economic growth rate in China has allowed for a greater reduction in poverty than in India.
Another factor contributing to the higher poverty rate in India is the lack of education. The literacy rate in India is only 74%, while the literacy rate in China is 95%. This lack of education in India has led to fewer job opportunities and higher poverty levels.
Finally, the unequal distribution of wealth in India is another factor contributing to the higher poverty rate. India has a large population of wealthy people, but the majority of the population is living in poverty. This unequal distribution of wealth has made it difficult for the poor to get out of poverty.
In conclusion, India has a higher poverty rate than China. This is due to a number of factors, including the population size, economic growth rate, lack of education, and unequal distribution of wealth. Despite the reduction in poverty over the past decade, India still has a long way to go in order to reduce poverty levels.