The real question we should be asking is: how many of these vehicles are being bought out of necessity, particularly for livelihood purposes? In a country where public transportation is often inadequate or non-existent in rural areas, owning a vehicle might not just be a sign of prosperity but a survival strategy New Delhi: The recent government data highlighting a dramatic increase in vehicle ownership among India’s poorest households over the past decade is interesting and positive. According to the figures shared by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, vehicle ownership among the poorest 20 per cent of households has surged from a mere 6 per cent in 2011-12 to a staggering 40 per cent in 2022-23. On the surface, this data might seem to symbolise wealth generation at the bottom of the pyramid—a sign that economic policies are lifting millions out of poverty and enabling them to afford previously unattainable assets, like motorised transport.
However, this narrative warrants a deeper examination. While proponents of the data may argue that increased vehicle ownership reflects improved purchasing power and economic progress, it’s essential to consider the broader economic trends and underlying factors contributing to this surge. Nuclearisation of Indian families and subsequent multiple vehicles needed in a family of productive labour aged citizens, access to vehicle financing, shifts in consumer behaviour, and even potential nuances in how we define .