India stands out as global incomes stagnate, WEF survey finds

A World Economic Forum survey of economists has identified India as one of just two regions globally where inflation-adjusted incomes are projected to increase, providing a notable bright spot in an otherwise gloomy outlook for household earnings worldwide.

Among 36 participating economists across multiple geographies, the vast majority anticipated that real incomes would either fall or remain flat in nearly every region under review. South-East Asia joined India as the primary exceptions to this concerning trend, suggesting that growth dynamics in Asia may offer greater resilience than elsewhere in the global economy.

The findings underscore divergent economic trajectories between developed and developing regions, with established economies facing particular headwinds on wage growth and purchasing power. The survey reflects broader concerns about inflation pressures, labour market dynamics, and the capacity of economies to generate real income gains for their populations.

India's positioning among the few bright spots in the WEF analysis comes as the country navigates its own inflationary pressures while maintaining relatively robust economic growth compared to many peers. The assessment suggests that economists hold relatively more optimistic expectations for income growth in the South Asian economy in the period ahead.