Consumption inequality in rural as well as urban areas declined during August 2023-July 2024 period as compared to a year ago, according to the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey released on Friday. The Gini coefficient declined to 0.237 from 0.266 for rural areas and to 0.284 from 0.314 for urban areas during the period under review, a statement by Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation on the survey said. The Gini coefficient statistically measures consumption inequality and wealth distribution within a society. The "consumption inequality, both in rural and urban areas has declined from the level of 2022-23," stated the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) based on the fieldwork undertaken during August 2023 to July 2024. The average MPCE (monthly per capital expenditure) in rural and urban India in 2023-24, without taking into account the social welfare schemes, has been estimated at Rs 4,122 and Rs 6,996 (at current prices), ...