Basic characteristics of indian economy and structure of india
Answers
The following points highlight the top thirteen characteristics of the Indian economy. Some of the characteristics are: 1. Low per capita income 2. Excessive dependence of agriculture and primary producing 3. High rate of population growth 4. Existence of chronic unemployment and under-employment 5. Poor rate of capital formation and Others.
Indian Economy: Characteristic # 1.
Low per capita income:
In India, the national income and per capita income is very low and it is considered as one of the basic features of underdevelopment. As per World Bank estimates, the per capita income of India stood at only $ 720 in 2005. Keeping aside a very few countries, this per capita income figure of India is the lowest in the world and it is even lower than China and Pakistan.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In 2005, the per capita income figure in Switzerland was nearly 76 times, in U.S.A. about 61 times, in Germany about 48 times and in Japan about 54 times the per capita income figure in India. Thus the standard of living of Indian people remained all along very low in comparison to that of developed countries of the world.
This disparity in the per capita income of India and other developed countries has registered a manifold increase during the last four decades (1960-2005).
Although the per capita income at official exchange rates exaggerated this disparity but after making necessary correction through purchasing power parity figures, the per capita GNP of U.S.A. was 12.0 times that of India in 2005 as against 68.0 times that of India at official exchange rates.
Even after making necessary adjustment, the per capita income differences, although narrowed down, yet remain quite significant and huge. Table 1.3 will clarify the position