Recent data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) reveals shifts in calorie consumption patterns across India in 2023-24, with both rural and urban areas experiencing a decrease in average intake. While the average per capita nutritional intake is almost similar in urban and rural areas, a notable percentage of households still consume less than the recommended 1,860 kcal per day.
In rural India, the average calorie intake was 2,212 kilocalories, while in urban India, it was slightly higher at 2,240 kilocalories. However, a significant portion of households fell below the 1,860 kcal threshold, with 11.7% in rural areas and 10.2% in urban areas. This suggests that while average consumption levels may appear adequate, a considerable segment of the population struggles to meet their basic nutritional needs.
The data also highlights disparities in calorie intake among different economic classes. In rural areas, the top 5% of consumers had an average calorie intake of 2,941 kcal per day, compared to just 1,688 kcal for the bottom 5% in 2023-24. Although this gap is significant, it narrowed slightly compared to 2022-23, when the top 5% consumed 3,116 kcal and the bottom 5% consumed 1,607 kcal. A similar trend was observed in urban areas, where the top 5% consumed 3,092 kcal compared to 1,696 kcal by the bottom 5% in 2023-24, a smaller difference than in 2022-23.
The NSO report utilizes data on food consumption and nutrient content to estimate calorie, protein, and fat intake at various levels of disaggregation. These levels include state, sector, and fractile classes of Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE). The report indicates that while calorie intake is nearly the same in rural and urban households, urban households tend to have slightly higher protein intake and significantly higher fat intake. In 2023-24, the per capita daily protein intake in rural areas was 61.8 grams, with a fat intake of 60.4 grams, compared to 63.4 grams of protein and 69.8 grams of fat in urban areas. Cereals contributed 48% of the per capita daily calorie intake in rural areas, versus 40.6% in urban areas.
These findings align with concerns raised by economist Utsa Patnaik, who estimated that over 80% of the rural population in India consumes less than 2,200 calories per day. Patnaik attributes this decline in food and nutrition intake to neo-liberal policies implemented since the early 1990s. She also raised concerns about the reliability of government data and the weakening of support systems for farmers. The accepted average calorie requirement in India is 2,400 calories per day in rural areas and 2,100 calories in urban areas.
Historically, the Planning Commission of India determined poverty levels based on the monetary value of minimum calorie intake, set at 2,400 calories for rural and 2,100 calories for urban populations. This translated to a poverty line of Rs 816 per person per month in rural areas and Rs 1,000 in urban areas in 2011-12.
