New Delhi, July 2 -- The daily calorie intake of India's poorest improved in both rural and urban areas in the 2022-24 period, slightly narrowing the gap with the rich, according to government data.

The per capita daily calorie intake of the poorest households-the bottom 5% of the population by spending-improved in rural areas from 1,607 Kcal in 2022-23 to 1,688 Kcal in2022-24, while the same in urban areas moved up from 1,623 Kcal to 1,688 Kcal, the statistics ministry said quoting household consumption expenditure survey data. This suggests improved food and nutrition access for the poor.

At the same time, calorie intake by the top 5% by household expenditure, declined in rural areas from 3,116 Kcal in 2022-23 to 2,941 in 2023-24. In ...