
Why India's GDP Growth Isn't Resulting in Prosperity
India has been one of the world's fastest-growing major economies for years. Yet for millions of Indians, rising GDP has not translated into rising household prosperity, better jobs, or greater economic security.In this episode of How India's Economy Works, Puja Mehra speaks with economist Professor Partha Chatterjee, Dean of Academics and Professor of Economics at Shiv Nadar University, about the structural reasons behind this disconnect. They explore why India's "missing middle"—the absence of enough productive, mid-sized firms and middle-income jobs—has become one of the country's biggest economic challenges. The conversation examines why firms struggle to scale, how policy incentives often encourage businesses to stay small, and why investment in education, health, finance, land, and judicial reforms is just as important as building physical infrastructure.The discussion also covers innovation, productivity, labour market opportunities for women, industrial policy, self-reliance, global supply chains, and why creating an ecosystem where firms can grow may be far more important than simply backing a handful of national champions.Tune in for insights on why sustained economic growth alone cannot deliver widespread prosperity—and what India must do to ensure that growth creates better jobs, stronger businesses, and rising living standards for millions.CHAPTERS(00:00) Introduction(01:21) Why Growth Misses Household Prosperity(03:31) Missing Middle-Sized Productive Firms(06:05) Policy Cliffs and Educational Deficit(09:30) Resource Misallocation and Skill Mismatch(12:20) Why Unproductive Firms Survive(14:29) Impact of Creeping Tariff Protection(16:43) Political Economy and Interest Groups(18:16) Beyond Physical Infrastructure and Credit(20:56) Risks and Barriers to Innovation(23:46) Building Slopes and Supporting Ecosystems(28:10) Rethinking Self-Reliance and National ChampionsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin | Youtube










