Saare jahan se achha? More and more wealthy Indians are moving out of the country for a better quality of life — let’s fix it

Recently, Virat Kohli's coach issued a statement that the cricketer would like to move with his family to London. The statement may have gone unconfirmed, but its essence remains relevant.

Why are an increasing number of HNI Indians seeking to move to other countries? Why are Indian businessmen seeking NRI citizenship and relocating to London, Singapore and Dubai? Why do they seek permanent residence in countries like Britain and Canada with less than 1/35th India's population? Why did India send out the third-highest number of individuals in 2023 after Pakistan and Sudan?

In addition to better economic opportunities, the obvious answer lies in three words: better life quality.


India accounts for 39 of the world's 100 most polluted cities. Delhi's AQI peaked at 795 in November 2024. Mumbai, despite being flushed by the sea that accounts for a lower AQI than landlocked Delhi, suffers from perennial construction dust and vehicular pollution.

If you think that this is the price every developing city of the modern world needs to pay, think again. London has an AQI of around 40. Beijing's AQI has declined from a peak of 775 (January 2013) to a fifth of that number. It's increasingly evident that the larger we become, the worse our life quality. Going ahead, we may become wealthier on paper, but poorer in life quality.

Infrastructure building takes longer in India than in countries like China. Of 779 delayed projects, 36% were behind schedule for 25-60 months, 26% for 1-12 months, 23% for 13-24 months, and 15% for over 60 months in December 2023. Aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) power losses increased from 15.4% to 17.6% in FY24. Some 200 railway accidents have occurred in India in the last five years.

India's cumulative road network of 5.9 mn km may be longer than China's (4.6 mn km). But only 3% comprises national highways. In Mumbai, India's financial capital, roads appear perpetually dug. Potholes provide a rigorous shock-absorber test. Even those travelling in air-conditioned comfort usually reach destinations fatigued.

The 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released in June ranked India 176th across 180 countries. India's existing bed-to-population ratio in private and public hospitals is 1.3/1,000. There's a bed deficit of 1.7/1,000. The general feedback on government hospitals is 'aapse nahin dekha jaayega'.

India generates about 1/3rd of global trash. It recycles only 18% of its municipal solid waste - the global average is 35%. Landfills overflow, rivers are polluted. Only about 5% of all recycled material ends back in the market.

Advantages of India's size promise a consumption-driven economy that endures across market cycles. However, the same size is a millstone, translating into overcrowding and over-competition for finite resources. India's urban density is higher than in most countries. Its vehicular pollution continues to gas people to chronic illness and fatality.

India's urban existence needs to be classified as an existence hazard. A 10-min intra-city drive usually takes 40 mins. Anyone drinking water off the tap is considered a masochist. It is inconceivable that any self-respecting individual will use the public restroom at a railway station or bus stand.

Gutka-spitting is a national pastime. Driving on Indian roads is a competitive sport. In India, plastic, like god, is omnipresent. Public spaces are for private appropriation. Queue-jumping is seen as a fundamental right. The need to clean one's neighbourhood is seen as a lowly activity, best delegated.

So, what is wrong with India?

Priority: In India, the word 'growth' connotes GDP and income growth, never life-quality growth. We are so obsessed with income growth that '750 AQI' is only a cocktail circuit complaint.

Decoupled: India's GDP growth of 6.5-7% on a $3.5 tn base adds $225-250 bn each year to national wealth. How is it that virtually everyone in the country is reporting growth except the foundation - infrastructure - that is making all the growth possible in the first place?

Accountability: Warren Buffett once said that in case of fiscal deficit crossing 3%, the politician should not be eligible for re-election. Once we do this here, air quality and road conditions will improve much faster.

Leakage: It's doubtful if there is a complete pass-through of the ₹100 lakh cr-plus of infra-spending in India. A sizable part would be intercepted by intermediaries - ministers, bureaucrats and contractors - who have a vested interest in the poor condition of roads and having them repaired multiple times a year.

Proposed solutions:
Municipalities need more fiscal autonomy and power to mobilise funds, through bonds.

India's public-private partnership (PPP) proposition needs to become more business-friendly.

AI and big data need to address urban infrastructure gaps. India needs a centralised digital dashboard to monitor real-time execution of civic infrastructure projects.

Cities and states need to be rewarded for timely projects completion, much like PLIs.

All those who talk of a $30 tn economy by 2047 may have to revise their forecasts downwards if India's cities become increasingly unliveable and every young Indian seeks to build a life outside the country.