Disclaimer

by clicking a geography button, you agree to abide by terms and conditions listed herein.

Home Economies Indian Econom...

Indian Economy: what to know before investing

After economic liberalisation in 1991 following near bankruptcy status, India moved towards a market-based and service-oriented economy. It reformed its economic policies, notably in the reduction of import tariffs and taxes, the deregulation of markets, and the expansion of foreign investment in many sectors. Since then, the country has achieved an average annual GDP growth rate of 6-7%.

Currently, the Indian economy is the seventh largest in the world based on nominal GDP. In 2018, India’s GDP reached $2.96 trillion with a 7.3% growth rate. The IMF predicts India’s economy will grow 7.5% in 2019 and continue to rise sustainably at a rate of 7.7% from 2020 to 2023.

Fostering economic growth is also a goal of the current Indian government.

Indian Economy: Real GDP growth

Indian economy: GDP current prices

India’s nominal GDP per capita was $2,016 in 2018. Meanwhile, GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity is $7,795. The estimation of the middle-class population stands at 300 million, representing a growing consumer market in the country.

Asian Market Insights

Exclusive news, analyses and opinion on Asian economies and financial markets

Asian Market Insights

Exklusive News, Analysen und Meinungen zu den asiatischen Finanzmärkten

Indian economy: GDP per capita

Indian economy menaced by high unemployment

With a population of 1.3 billion, India is home to 18% of the world’s population. It is currently the second most populated country in the world and projected to be number one by 2024. More than half of India’s population are below the age of 25, making it a country with a low dependency ratio.

Indian economy affected by growing population

However, the unemployment rate in India is particularly high amongst people between 15 and 29 years old. According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), India’s unemployment rate hit a 45-year high of 6.1% in 2017-2018. A mismatch of qualified talent and available employment opportunities are noted as the main reasons for the significant jump in the number.

Currency and central bank

The official currency of India is the Indian rupee (₹). It is used as a pegged currency by Nepal and Bhutan. After the sharp devaluation in 1991 and the transition to current account convertibility in 1994, the Indian rupee’s value has been mainly determined by market forces.

The central bank of India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is managing the country’s monetary system. The RBI was established in 1935 and serves as India’s monetary authority, regulator, and supervisor of the monetary system, banker to the government, custodian of foreign exchange reserves, and currency issuer.

Benchmark interest rates in India are set by the Monetary Policy Committee. As of August 2018, the bank rate was 6.75%.

Indian Economy: Inflation Target

The inflation rate of India based on average consumer prices in 2018 hit 4.7%, up from 3.6% the previous year.

The Indian government set the inflation target at 4% for the period of 5 August 2016 to 31 March 2021, with lower and upper tolerance levels of 2% and 6% respectively.

Indian economy: inflation rate

Industry and trade

Major contributors to the Indian economy include the agriculture, industry, and services sectors. The services sector, including construction, retail, information technology, banking and insurance, accounts for over 60% of India’s total GDP. Meanwhile, agriculture and industry contribute 15% and 23% of the nation’s GDP.

Agriculture and services sectors main contributors to Indian economy growth

India’s top five largest firms are the Indian Oil Corporation, conglomerate company Reliance Industries, State Bank of India, automobile manufacturer Tata Motors, and gold exporter Rajesh Exports.

Indian Economy: Trade and Competitiveness

India’s trade balance has run a constant deficit of at least $100 billion for each of the last ten years. In fiscal year 2018, India recorded a trade deficit of $156.8 billion. Total export rose 9.8% from 2017 to $302.8 billion. Meanwhile, import transactions increased almost 20% to $459.6 billion.

Manufacturing makes up 70% of India’s total exports, followed by agricultural, fuel, and mining products. More than one-third of exports go to the European Union and the U.S. As for imports, India’s main partners are China and the European Union.

Indian economy: current account balance

India liberalised its FDI policy in 2005, allowing up to a 100% FDI shares in ventures. The Indian government has eased 87 FDI rules in 21 sectors over the last three years. In 2018, India attracted $38 billion of FDI, surpassing China. This went mainly to the chemical, financial services, computer software and hardware, telecommunication, and automobile industries.

According to the World Bank report, India ranked 100th in ease of doing business.

Stock exchanges and capital markets

The two biggest stock markets in India are the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Almost all major Indian companies are listed on both exchanges. In April 2018, the market cap of BSE was recorded at $2.1 trillion, with 5,439 listed companies. NSE has $2.27 trillion of market cap from 1,952 companies, and is ranked as the seventh largest stock market in the world.

Indian economy - Important indices in India stock exchanges
Important indices in India stock exchangesIndian economy - Important indices in India stock exchanges

The BSE Sensex and the NSE Nifty 50 are two well-known benchmarks.

More News

Australia invests $550 mn in rare earths to lead energy transition

0
In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the global energy transition supply chain, the Australian government has a ...

India’s stock market cap to hit $10 tn by 2030

0
In January, India became the fourth-biggest equity market globally. The combined value of shares listed on Indian exchanges ...

Japan’s booming chip stocks drive Nikkei rally

0
After hitting an all-time high for the first time in 34 years in February, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average hit the key mileston ...

Identifying growth opportunities of edtech in Vietnam

0
Edtech in Vietnam is likely to grow at a 13.5% CAGR during 2024-2032 led by government initiatives and technological growth. ...