India Set to Overtake China in Affluent Consumers by 2036
Why in the news
A joint study projects that by 2036 India will edge past China in the number of affluent consumers.
Key facts
- Report by: NielsenIQ and World Data Lab.
- Affluent consumer: spends more than $90 a day.
- Core consumer: spends $13 to $90 a day.
- 2036 comparison: India 10.8 crore, China 10.3 crore.
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| India affluent (2026) | 2.6 crore |
| India affluent (2036) | 10.8 crore |
| India gain | +8.2 crore |
| China affluent (2036) | 10.3 crore |
| China gain | +6.2 crore |
| India core consumers (2026) | 64.9 crore |
| U.S. affluent (2036) | 23.1 crore |
| World affluent (2036) | 102.5 crore |
| World gain (2026–36) | +36.9 crore |
Takeaway
India shows the largest increase among the countries listed, though the U.S. still has the most affluent consumers in 2036 at 23.1 crore.
Exam angle
- Thresholds: above $90 a day is affluent; $13 to $90 is core.
- India versus China in 2036: 10.8 crore against 10.3 crore.
- Report publishers: NielsenIQ and World Data Lab.