DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (NPN): The Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), has pegged the state’s income inequality at a Gini coefficient of 0.46, with the top 10 percent households receiving over 33 percent of the total income in the state.
The findings were published in the “Report on Income Disparity in Nagaland 2025”, conducted under the Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) sub-scheme of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in collaboration with the University of Hyderabad.
The report was earlier released by chief secretary Sentiyanger on March 9, 2026 at chief secretary’s conference hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima in the presence of secretary Akunu S Meyase, director DES Neidilhou Keditsu and other senior officials.
According to the report, the average monthly household income in Nagaland was estimated at Rs. 30,207, while the average annual household income stood at Rs. 3,44,494. Urban households reported significantly higher earnings with an average annual income of Rs. 5,20,021 compared to Rs. 2,59,479 in rural areas. Among districts, Kohima recorded the highest average annual household income at Rs. 4,82,258, while Tuensang registered the lowest at Rs. 2,02,697. In rural areas, Phek recorded the highest average annual income at Rs. 4,04,017, whereas Tuensang remained the lowest at Rs. 1,60,899.
Zunheboto recorded the highest urban annual income at Rs. 8,37,229, while Peren registered the lowest at Rs. 3,77,500.
The report revealed that the bottom 50 percent households in Nagaland received only around 18 percent of the state’s total income, whereas the top five percent households accounted for nearly 21 percent of the total income. The top five percent households earned an average monthly income of Rs. 71,028 compared to just Rs. 1,639 among the bottom 50 percent.
In urban areas, the disparity was sharper, with the top five percent residents earning an average monthly income of Rs. 1,42,984, while the bottom 50 percent earned only Rs. 1,645. In rural areas, the top five percent earned Rs. 48,515 against Rs. 1,528 earned by the bottom half of the population.
District-wise, Longleng recorded the highest income inequality with a Gini coefficient of 0.492, while Phek registered the lowest inequality at 0.366. Longleng also recorded the highest rural and urban inequality levels at 0.456 and 0.509 respectively. Zunheboto recorded the lowest rural and urban inequality levels at 0.330 and 0.359 respectively.
The survey covered 4,396 households across the state, including 3,080 rural households from 140 villages and 1,315 urban households from 60 wards.
According to DIPR, the field survey was conducted between October 2024 and December 2024, and the data pertained to the 2024 calendar year.
The report also highlighted socio-economic indicators, stating that students constituted the largest category of respondents at 29.54 percent, followed by farmers at 27.34 percent. About 38.24 percent respondents lived in semi-pucca houses, while 44.86 percent households accessed drinking water from their own yard. Around 75.42 percent households used flush-to-septic tank toilets, while open defecation was reported at below one percent.
DES said the report was expected to assist policymakers, planners and researchers in framing targeted interventions to address growing income inequality and promote inclusive development in the state.
Friday, May 8, 2026