15 Indian states with highest poverty rates

One third of the world’s poor live in India.

The number of poor in India is now estimated at 148 million in 2014 as compared to 396 million in 2004-05.

According to the Planning Commission, in 2011-12 for rural areas, the national poverty line is estimated at Rs 816 per capita per month in villages and Rs 1,000 per capita per month in cities. 

This would mean that the persons whose consumption of goods and services exceed Rs 33.33 in cities and Rs 27.20 per capita per day in villages are not poor.

The Reserve Bank of India has listed Indian states with highest poverty rates.

Take a look at India’s states with highest poverty rates…

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Chhattisgarh

Percentage of people below poverty line: 39.93 

One of the fastest developing states in India, Chhattisgarh contributes 15 per cent of the total steel produced in India. 

Chhattisgarh became a state in 2000 after its separation from Madhya Pradesh. 

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Jharkhand

Percentage of people below poverty line: 36.96

Jharkhand was a part of Bihar till 2000. 

Jharkhand, which means ‘The land of forests’accounts for 40 per cent of India’s mineral resources.

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Manipur

Percentage of people below poverty line: 36.89

Manipur was formed in 1972. Agriculture, forestry, cottage industries contribute to its economy.

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Arunachal Pradesh

Percentage of people below poverty line: 34.67 

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest among the northeastern states was formed in 1987.

Agriculture primarily drives the economy. 

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Bihar

Percentage of people below poverty line: 33.74

Established in 1936, Bihar has now become one of the fastest growing states.

It is also the largest producer of vegetables. 

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Odisha

Percentage of people below poverty line: 32.59

Established in 1936, Odisha is the 9th largest state by area in India.

The state is rich in natural resources and a hotspot for overseas investors. The country biggest FDI project, Posco’s steel plant will come up in Odisha.

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Assam

Percentage of people below poverty line: 31.98

Agriculture and oil sectors drive the state's  economy. 

Assam is one of biggest producers of tea in the world. 

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Madhya Pradesh

Percentage of people below poverty line: 31.65

Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in the country by area.

The state has the largest reserves of diamond and copper in India.

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Uttar Pradesh

Percentage of people below poverty line: 29.43

Established on 1 April 1937, as the United Provinces, the state was renamed Uttar Pradesh in 1950.

Uttar Pradesh is the fourth largest Indian state by economy.

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Karnataka

Percentage of people below poverty line: 20.91 

Karnataka is the manufacturing hub for some of the largest public sector industries in India.

It is also a hotspot for IT and biotechnology companies. 

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Mizoram 

Percentage of people below poverty line: 20.40 

One of India’s smallest states, Mizoram has an agrarian economy. 

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West Bengal 

Percentage of people below poverty line: 19.98 

India’s fourth-most populous state, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP. 

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Nagaland

Percentage of people below poverty line: 18.88 

Nagaland became the 16th Indian state in December 1963. The state is rich in mineral resources. 

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Maharashtra

Percentage of people below poverty line: 17.35 

Maharashtra is one of the wealthiest and most developed states in India. 

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Gujarat

Percentage of people below poverty line: 16.63

Gujarat has one of the major industrial hubs in India. 

With double-digit growth rates, Gujarat is ahead of other states.