8.2 Crore Indians May Join High-Spending Class in a Decade
What Happened
A NielsenIQ and World Data Lab report projects that India will add 8.2 crore affluent consumers over the next decade, taking the total from 2.6 crore in 2026 to 10.8 crore by 2036. That would put India slightly ahead of China's projected 10.3 crore affluent consumers, making it one of the world's largest high-spending consumer markets. Affluent consumers are defined as those spending more than $90 a day.
Key Takeaways
The surge reflects India's expanding middle class and rising spending power. For businesses, it signals growing demand not just for affordable products but also for premium goods, services and brands, potentially making India a more attractive consumer market than China for future growth.