India’s nutritional divide (2020-2025) shows rising obesity in cities and persistent undernutrition in villages. Explore calorie, protein, and fat intake trends across rural and urban India.
When India’s Prime Minister raised concerns about rising obesity among the Indian middle class during the 79th Independence Day address, it was more than a symbolic remark, it reflected a pressing reality. Between 2020 and 2025, India’s nutritional landscape has been shaped by the lingering effects of COVID-19, persistent economic inequalities, and the impact of rapid urbanisation.
Despite food security programs and a rapidly expanding market of packaged and convenience foods, the country faces a paradox: urban India struggles with overconsumption and lifestyle diseases, while rural India continues to grapple with undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The picture is complicated further by data gaps, as nutrition surveys were disrupted during COVID-19, leaving researchers dependent on NSO Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES, 2022 – 24) and supplementary reports from NIN, NFHS-5, and SOFI 2025.
Calorie Intake: Unequal Progress Across Rural and Urban India
The NSO HCES data (2022 – 23 to 2023 – 24) shows persistent gaps in calorie intake between rural and urban India:
- Rural areas: Average per capita calorie intake declined from 2,233 kcal/day in 2022-23 to 2,212 kcal/day in 2023-24, below the ICMR recommendation of 2,400 kcal/day for rural adults.
- Urban areas: Average intake remained more stable, at 2,250 kcal in 2022-23 and 2,240 kcal in 2023-24, slightly above the ICMR benchmark of 2,100 kcal/day for urban adults.
- Economic disparity: The poorest 5% of rural households consumed just 1,688 kcal/day in
2023-24, while the richest 5% consumed 2,941 kcal/day. In cities, the poorest consumed 1,696 kcal/day, while the richest reached 3,092 kcal/day.
These disparities highlight that rural diets consistently fall short of caloric adequacy, while urban diets, though adequate on average, remain deeply unequal. The gap between the lowest and highest expenditure groups narrowed slightly in 2023–24, but inequity remains entrenched.
Earlier datasets reinforce this concern. NFHS-5 (2019-21) reported that 35.5% of rural children under five were stunted, reflecting chronic calorie and nutrient shortfalls. The ICMR-NIN “What India Eats” reports (urban: 2016, rural: 2012) also noted that rural diets rely heavily on cereals, which may provide calories but often lack nutritional balance.
Protein Intake: Adequacy Masking Inequality
Protein consumption has improved overall, but disparities remain in terms of sources and diversity:
- Rural areas: In 2023-24, per capita daily protein intake averaged 61.8 g, exceeding the ICMR guideline of 55-60 g/day. However, 46-47% still came from cereals, showing limited dietary diversity.
- Urban areas: Protein intake was slightly higher at 63.4 g/day, with cereals contributing 39%, reflecting a gradual shift toward eggs, dairy, fish, and meat.
- Long-term shift: Since 2009-10, the share of protein from cereals has dropped by 14% in rural India and 12% in urban India, showing a move toward more animal-based and dairy protein.
Yet, affordability restricts access. Only 8.7% of rural households and 14.3% of urban households meet the recommended levels of milk and milk product intake, highlighting barriers in achieving balanced nutrition.
Pre-2022 research adds nuance: A 2022 study highlighted inadequate protein intake in rural households, not due to lack of legumes or dairy availability, but limited awareness and entrenched dietary habits. The ICMR-NIN “What India Eats” report further emphasized that cereal-heavy diets cause micronutrient deficiencies and a lack of protein diversity.
Fat Intake: A Nutrition Transition in Motion
Fat intake shows India’s nutrition transition most clearly:
- Rural areas: Fat intake increased from 59.7 g/day in 2022–23 to 60.4 g/day in 2023–24, a 31% increase from 2011-12 levels (46.1 g/day).
- Urban areas: Fat intake declined slightly from 70.5 g/day in 2022–23 to 69.8 g/day in 2023–24, but still marks a 20% increase from 2011-12 levels (58 g/day).
The rise in fat intake is driven by higher consumption of processed foods and edible oils, especially in cities. Urban populations are therefore facing greater risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (NCDs).
Dietary behavior reflects this shift: urban middle-income households dined out 6.84 times per month in 2023-24, compared to only 4 times in 1993-94. Rural middle-income households, however, showed no such increase, underlining the stark contrast in food environments.
The Dual Burden of Malnutrition
India now faces the double challenge of undernutrition and overnutrition:
- Rural India:
- 6% of the population cannot afford a nutritious diet (SOFI 2025).
- 35.5% child stunting rate (NFHS-5).
- Diets remain cereal-heavy, with widespread micronutrient deficiencies in calcium, vitamin A, and iron.
- Urban India:
- Rising obesity and diabetes rates due to processed food intake.
- Affluent households consuming nearly double the calories of the poorest.
- Dining out and fast food trends fueling NCD risks.
Both regions now share elements of the dual burden: rural India continues to face hunger and deficiency, but is also experiencing rising obesity due to cheap, calorie-dense foods.
Data Gaps and Policy Directions
Analysis of India’s nutritional trends between 2020 and 2025 is constrained by data disruptions:
- COVID-19 halted surveys in 2020-21.
- Reliance on NSO HCES (2022-24) and outdated NNMB surveys (rural: 2012, urban: 2016).
- Lack of micronutrient data limits understanding of vitamin and mineral intake.
- National-level aggregates obscure state-wise differences.
Policy Recommendations
To bridge these gaps, India needs to:
Gather granular data → Conduct regular, state-wise nutrition surveys for better policy design.
Strengthen the PDS → Diversify beyond rice and wheat to include millets, pulses, and fortified foods.
Promote bio-fortified crops → Encourage millets and barley to combat deficiencies.
Invest in nutrition education → Build awareness around dietary diversity and balanced intake.
Conclusion: Toward Equitable Nutrition
India’s nutritional divide from 2020 to 2025 underscores a complex paradox: rural India continues to battle caloric inadequacy, while urban India faces the fallout of excess consumption. Calories remain insufficient in villages, protein sources remain narrow, and fat consumption in cities is tipping diets toward chronic diseases.
At Eat Right Basket, we believe that bridging this divide begins at the dining table. By choosing organic millets, pulses, cold-pressed oils, and diverse local foods, we can move closer to a future where nutrition is equitable, sustainable, and resilient for all Indians.
Note:
The article is written on the basis of available data focusing on key nutritional indicators: calorie, protein, and fat intake, as well as broader trends and disparities. Data prior to 2022 is less comprehensive due to limited surveys during the COVID-19 period
Sources
· NSO “Nutritional Intake in India” report (2022-24).
· ICMR-NIN “What India Eats” report and NNMB surveys.
· SOFI 2025 report.
· Additional insights from NFHS-5 (2019-21) and posts on X.
