THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
Economic studies on wealth distribution in India consistently show deep disparities across social groups. Wealth is largely passed down through generations, meaning historical barriers to owning land and capital continue to affect modern families.
The Overall Wealth Gap
Studies on asset ownership reveal a stark imbalance. While upper-caste groups make up a minority of the population, they control roughly 41% to 45% of India’s total household wealth, and nearly 90% of extreme top-tier billionaire wealth.
Conversely, Scheduled Castes (Dalits)—who make up roughly 16% to 18% of the population—historically own only about 7% to 8% of the country’s total asset wealth.
How Dalits Fare Compared to Other Groups
Data from large demographic trackers, such as the National Family Health Survey, highlight how these gaps translate into everyday economic standing:
(1) Wealth Brackets: Around 25% to 30% of Dalit households fall into the poorest wealth bracket, while only about 10% to 12% reach the highest wealth quintile.
(2) Business and Enterprise: Although Dalits make up a significant portion of India’s workforce, they account for only about 11% of private business and enterprise owners. This highlights a persistent gap in access to private capital, institutional credit, and entrepreneurial networks.
In summary, while modern economic growth has created some mobility, empirical data shows that Dalits continue to lag behind dominant social groups in asset accumulation, reflecting structural challenges that span generations.
References
1.https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/inequality-surges-in-india-upper-castes-hold-90-of-billionaire-wealth-124062700343_1.html?hl=en-GB
2.https://inshorts.com/en/news/uppercaste-hindus-hold-41-of-indias-wealth-muslims-8-owaisi-1578627574761?hl=en-GB
3.https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/poverty-inequality/wealth-inequality-class-and-caste-in-india-1961-2012?hl=en-
