World Bank Raises India's Retail Inflation Forecast To 5.9% For FY24
The World Bank, in its latest India Development Update, has revised its retail inflation forecast for India for the fiscal year 2023-24. The new projection stands at 5.9 percent, up from the earlier estimate of 5.2 percent made in April. This upward revision is attributed to certain factors which caused a sharp increase in food prices in July 2023.
The World Bank highlighted the impact of abnormal rainfall on food prices during the monsoon season. While there was a temporary easing of food prices in August, the bank expects this situation to continue to influence headline inflation throughout the fiscal year.
Despite some moderation in inflation, the consumer price index-based inflation remained at 6.83 percent in August, following a peak of 7.44 percent in July. This reduction was primarily due to a decline in vegetable prices. Additionally, oil prices have moderated since their peak in 2022, which is expected to help stabilize inflation, although they are anticipated to remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been actively managing inflation through its monetary policy. Over the past year, the RBI has withdrawn accommodation and raised the policy interest rate, helping to rein in core inflation. This approach is expected to lead to a gradual deceleration of core inflation.
While the inflation forecast has been revised upwards, the World Bank’s economic growth projection for India in 2023-24 remains steady at 6.3 percent. This growth is underpinned by robust investment growth in the country.
The World Bank’s updated estimates come ahead of the RBI’s monetary policy review, scheduled for October 6. With food inflation now under control, it is anticipated that the RBI will maintain the status quo. In its August policy review, the central bank had projected retail inflation to be 5.4 percent for FY24.
The World Bank emphasizes that the rising inflation in India, primarily driven by adverse weather and supply-side disruptions, is a temporary phenomenon. It is expected to affect certain components of GDP, particularly consumption. However, overall conditions are conducive to private investment.
The World Bank highlights the government’s continued focus on infrastructure investment as a key driver of economic growth. This emphasis on infrastructure is expected to attract private sector investment as well, further bolstering economic prospects.
The moderation in India’s growth compared to the previous year (7.2 percent) is attributed to challenging external conditions and waning pent-up demand. An adverse global environment is expected to pose challenges in the short term.
The World Bank projects an overall fiscal deficit (combining the Centre and states) of 8.7 percent of GDP. It also expects public debt to stabilize at 83 percent of GDP. The bank asserts that there are no risks of fiscal slippages due to upcoming elections, citing the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation.
On the external front, the current account deficit is expected to narrow to 1.4 percent of GDP in FY24. This deficit will be adequately financed by foreign investment flows and supported by India’s large foreign reserves.
The report also addresses labor market dynamics in India. It notes that unemployment rates have declined significantly for men and youth but highlights that an increase in the women’s worker population ratio has been driven by unpaid family work. The World Bank underscores the importance of addressing this gender disparity and states that India will need to grow at a faster pace, around 8 percent, to achieve its target of becoming a high-income country by 2047, which cannot be realized without an increase in female labor force participation.
The auction of 400 acres of forested land in Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad, has sparked widespread…
India is home to some of the wealthiest individuals in the world. These billionaires have…
The richest men in the world have made huge amounts of money through technology, shopping…
Central Government of India announced an increase in excise duties on petrol and diesel by…
India became an independent country on 15th August 1947. After independence, the new government was…
Kazakhstan has uncovered its largest-ever reserve of rare earth metals at the Kuirektykol site in…