News: The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24 findings were released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), highlighting trends in household spending on food and non-food items. Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES) 2023-24
About Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES)
- It was conducted between August 2023 – July 2024 by NSO under the the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- The survey covered 405 items across food and non-food categories.
- Broad Consumption Categories
- Food items: Cereals, pulses, dairy, vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat, edible oil, beverages.
- Non-food items: Fuel, medical expenses, education, rent, clothing, consumer services, entertainment.
Findings of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24
| Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) | 1. Rural: Rs.4,122 (Rs.4,247 with imputed benefits) 2. Urban: Rs. 6,996 (Rs.7,078 with imputed benefits) |
| Increase in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) | Increased by 9% in rural areas and 8% in urban areas from 2022-23. |
| Urban-Rural Gap | The gap reduced from 84% (2011-12) to 70% (2023-24), indicating higher rural consumption growth. |
| Increased Spending on Non-Food Items | 1. Non-food items account for 53% of rural and 60% of urban expenditure. 2. Major contributors: conveyance, clothing, and other essentials. 3. Food’s share in monthly spending has declined. |
| Decline in Consumption Inequality | The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, decreased in both rural and urban areas: 1. Rural areas: Declined from 0.266 in 2022-23 to 0.237 in 2023-24. 2. Urban areas: Declined from 0.314 in 2022-23 to 0.284 in 2023-24. |
| State-Wise Inequality | 1. Highest MPCE: Sikkim 2. Lowest MPCE: Chhattisgarh |
Policy Implications– The increasing focus on non-food expenses may alter the composition of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), influencing inflation evaluations.
