Basic Problems of Indian Economy
Since 1991, the Indian economy has pursued
free market liberalisation, greater openess in trade and increase investment in
infrastructure. This helped the Indian economy to achieve a rapid rate of
economic growth and economic development. However, the economy still faces
various problems and challenges.
1.
Inflation: Fuelled by rising wages,
property prices and food prices inflation in India is an increasing problem.
Inflation is currently between 8-10%. This inflation has been a problem despite
periods of economic slowdown. For example in late 2013, Indian inflation
reached 11%, despite growth falling to 4.8%. This suggests that inflation is
not just due to excess demand, but is also related to cost push inflationary factors.
2.
Poor educational standards: Although India has benefited
from a high % of English speakers, there is still high levels of illiteracy
amongst the population. It is worse in rural areas and amongst women. Over 50%
of Indian women are illiterate. This limits economic development and a more
skilled workforce.
3.
Poor Infrastructure: Many Indians lack basic
amenities lack access to running water. Indian public services are creaking
under the strain of bureaucracy and inefficiency. Over 40% of Indian fruit rots
before it reaches the market.
4.
Balance of Payments
deterioration: Although
India has built up large amounts of foreign currency reserves the high rates of
economic growth have been at the cost of a persistent current account deficit.
In late 2012, the current account reached a peak of 6% of GDP. Since then there
has been an improvement in the current account. But, the Indian economy has
seen imports growth faster than exports. This means India needs to attract
capital flows to finance the deficit. Also, the large deficit caused the
depreciation in the Rupee between 2012 and 2014.
5.
Inequality has risen rather
than decreased: It is hoped
that economic growth would help drag the Indian poor above the poverty line.
However so far economic growth has been highly uneven benefiting the skilled
and wealthy disproportionately. Many of India’s rural poor are yet to receive
any tangible benefit from the India’s economic growth.
6.
Large Budget Deficit: India has one of the largest
budget deficits in the developing world. Excluding subsidies it amounts to
nearly 8% of GDP. Although it is fallen a little in the past year. It still
allows little scope for increasing investment in public services like health
and education.
7.
Rigid labour Laws: As an example Firms employing
more than 100 people cannot fire workers without government permission. The
effect of this is to discourage firms from expanding to over 100 people. It
also discourages foreign investment.
8.
Inefficient agriculture: Agriculture produces 17.4% of
economic output but, over 51% of the work force are employed in agriculture.
This is the most inefficient sector of the economy and reform has proved slow.
9.
Slowdown in growth: 2013/14 has seen a slowdown in
the rate of economic growth to 4-5%. Real GDP per capita growth is even lower.
This is a cause for concern as India needs a high growth rate to see rising
living standards, lower unemployment and encouraging investment. India has
fallen behind China, which is a comparable developing economy.
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