Delhi Tops, Bihar Lags As 5 Indian States Cross World Bank's Upper-Middle-Income Threshold; Check Names Here
Five Indian states - Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat - have surpassed the World Bank's USD 4,635 upper-middle-income threshold. While these states thrive in IT and manufacturing, others like Bihar lag, highlighting significant regional economic disparities. Three states, including Maharashtra, narrowly missed the threshold, signalling potential for future growth.
Recent economic estimates reveal that five Indian states have surpassed the World Bank’s upper-middle-income threshold of USD 4,635 in per capita income. The data highlights a growing economic divide, with several states achieving significant growth while others continue to face developmental challenges.
Leading States in India
Delhi currently leads the nation with a per capita income of USD 6,217. It is followed by Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. These states have leveraged strong performance in sectors including information technology, manufacturing, financial services, and industrial trade to climb the income ladder. Neelkanth Mishra, Prominent Indian Economist, Appointed as Executive Director at World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC.
| Rank | State | Per Capita Income (USD) | Status |
| 1 | Delhi | 6,217 | Above threshold |
| 2 | Karnataka | 5,579 | Above threshold |
| 3 | Telangana | 5,407 | Above threshold |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 5,329 | Above threshold |
| 5 | Gujarat | 4,734 | Above threshold |
States Near the Threshold
Three additional states narrowly missed the benchmark, suggesting that even modest economic growth could elevate them into the upper-middle-income category in the near future.
| State | Per Capita Income (USD) | Difference from Threshold |
| Maharashtra | 4,628 | Missed by USD 8 |
| Haryana | 4,627 | Missed by USD 9 |
| Kerala | 4,610 | Missed by USD 26 |
Regional Economic Disparities
Despite these gains, the data also underscores significant economic disparities. Several states currently report the lowest per capita income levels in India, often associated with lower productivity, slower industrialisation, and limited employment opportunities.
| State | Per Capita Income (USD) |
| Bihar | 984 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,403 |
| Jharkhand | 1,470 |
World Bank Classification Context
The World Bank updates its income thresholds annually to categorise economies based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. The current global benchmarks are as follows:
| Category | Per Capita Income (USD) |
| Low Income | Below USD 1,175 |
| Lower-Middle Income | USD 1,175–USD 4,635 |
| Upper-Middle Income | USD 4,635–USD 14,375 |
| High Income | Above USD 14,375 |
As the gap between high- and low-income states persists, experts emphasise the need for balanced regional development, improved infrastructure, and enhanced educational opportunities to ensure that India’s overall economic progress remains sustained and inclusive.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
