Shillong, Dec 27: Urban households in Meghalaya spend 104% more on average than their rural counterparts, according to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24, underscoring a pronounced economic disparity within the state.
Meghalaya recorded the highest rural-urban gap in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) in India, with Jharkhand (83%) and Chhattisgarh (80%) following closely behind. The survey, conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), was released today.
The fieldwork for the survey, conducted from August 2023 to July 2024, revealed that rural households in Meghalaya reported an average MPCE of ₹3,578, while urban households spent ₹7,292. This significant difference reflects the unequal access to education, technology, and amenities in urban areas, compounded by the geographical challenges of the state’s rugged terrain, which isolates rural communities and restricts economic activity.
Nationally, non-food items account for a major portion of household expenditure—53% in rural areas and 60% in urban areas. Common non-food expenditures include conveyance, clothing, and durable goods, while food expenditures, dominated by beverages, processed foods, and staples, remain prominent in rural budgets.
Across India, Sikkim recorded the highest MPCE (Rural: ₹9,377; Urban: ₹13,927), while Chhattisgarh reported the lowest (Rural: ₹2,739; Urban: ₹4,927)
