Rising Land Inequality In India: Key Drivers And The Road Ahead

A recent study by World Inequality Lab provides a groundbreaking analytical assessment of land inequality across 270,000 Indian villages. By integrating national census data with geospatial datasets, the study identifies the primary drivers of land inequality.

Key Drivers

Historical Legacy

Regions under the Zamindari system developed high land concentration due to landlord dominance, whereas princely states and ryotwari areas had relatively lower inequality with more direct cultivator control.

Social Inequality

Caste structures have restricted land access, with Scheduled Castes historically marginalised, leading to persistent disparities in ownership.

Market and Geographic Factors

Fertile land, irrigation, and market access increase land value, often resulting in accumulation by wealthier groups and greater inequality.

Policy Failures

Land reforms and tenancy laws have been poorly implemented, with loopholes, weak enforcement, and political resistance limiting equitable redistribution of land.

The Road Ahead

Addressing India’s land inequality requires moving beyond pure market-based solutions. Since economic modernisation cannot erase deep-seated historical disparities, targeted policy interventions and radical land reforms remain essential to rectify persistent structural inequities and ensure equitable development across the nation.