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Assam’s rural population has the lowest monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) among all Northeastern states, according to the latest survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO), conducted under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) for the year 2023-2024. The survey reveals that the average MPCE for rural Assam stands at Rs 3,793, significantly lower than other states in the region. In contrast, urban Assam records a monthly per capita expenditure of Rs 6,794.
Comparison with Other Northeastern States (2023-2024)
The report highlights that Assam lags behind states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya in terms of rural MPCE. The expenditure figures for other Northeastern states are as follows:
- Arunachal Pradesh: Rural – Rs 5,995 | Urban – Rs 9,832
- Manipur: Rural – Rs 4,531 | Urban – Rs 5,945
- Meghalaya: Rural – Rs 3,852 | Urban – Rs 7,839
- Mizoram: Rural – Rs 5,963 | Urban – Rs 8,709
- Nagaland: Rural – Rs 5,155 | Urban – Rs 8,022
- Tripura: Rural – Rs 6,259 | Urban – Rs 8,034
The nationwide per capita consumption expenditure for 2023-2024 stands at Rs 4,122 for rural areas and Rs 6,996 for urban regions. Assam’s urban-rural expenditure gap is a striking 79%, indicating stark economic disparities within the state.
Economic Concerns and Expert Opinions
Assam’s economy continues to struggle in comparison to its neighbors. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data for 2023-2024 highlights Assam’s average per capita income at Rs 1,35,787—significantly lower than states like Andhra Pradesh (Rs 2,42,479), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 2,35,199), and Delhi (Rs 4,61,910). Even within the Northeast, states like Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Tripura exhibit stronger economic indicators.
An economist commenting on the report stated, “If the purchasing power of the people decreases, the economy will struggle to grow.” Experts argue that for Assam to achieve sustainable economic growth, increasing per capita income, reducing unemployment, and fostering entrepreneurship should be the key priorities.
While government welfare schemes help people in the short term, real economic growth comes from creating jobs and improving productivity. Simply increasing the number of people depending on government aid is not a solution. Assam needs strong steps to boost its economy, or it may continue to fall behind other states in the region.