‘Flying once a year, skipping the doctor’: Bengaluru CEO says India’s middle class is ‘suffering in silence’

A viral LinkedIn post by a Bengaluru-based CEO has ignited a heated discussion on social media, highlighting the growing economic challenges faced by India’s middle class. The post, which has gone viral, underscores a crisis that is not receiving the attention it deserves, as the middle class quietly absorbs the economic shocks without much public discourse or government intervention.

The CEO, Ashish Singhal, wrote that over the past decade, the middle class has been grappling with a decline in purchasing power, despite rising expenses and stagnant salaries. He pointed out that the group earning under ₹5 lakh has seen a 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), while those earning between ₹5 lakh and ₹1 crore have experienced a mere 0.4% CAGR. Meanwhile, food prices have surged by nearly 80%, and the overall purchasing power has nearly halved, despite increased spending driven by credit.

‘This isn’t a collapse. It’s a well-dressed decline,’ Singhal wrote, adding that people are still managing to afford basic needs like travel and technology, but at a cost that includes cutting back on savings and delaying medical consultations. He also noted that while the wealthy are expanding their reach, the middle class is left to bear the brunt of the economic pressures, with no clear path to relief.

Reactions on Social Media

The post has sparked a wave of responses from individuals and professionals across various sectors. One founder commented that the middle class is caught in a cycle of self-sacrifice, taking on excessive debt and working long hours while expecting little in return. ‘An excess of nothing is good — being excessively conforming and hardworking — has led to being stuck between the devil and the deep sea,’ the founder wrote.

Another CEO questioned the salary increases provided to employees, suggesting that the middle class’s struggles are a reflection of broader economic disparities. ‘Good one. But, as CEO, what was the pay rise you gave to your employees vis-a-vis yours? That should be interesting to know,’ the CEO remarked.

Individuals have also expressed frustration over the lack of change, noting that India’s economic trajectory is unlikely to shift significantly in the near future. ‘Crying on any platform won’t make any difference. India was moving on like this and will continue like this. Nothing’s gonna change here,’ one user wrote. Another added, ‘Even after so much tax, there is nothing in return. Whoever can and gets the opportunity, just leaves the country, that’s it. But again, salary alone can’t make anyone wealthy anywhere in the world.’

The Silent Crisis

Singhal’s post has brought to light a silent crisis that is affecting millions of Indians. The middle class, which has traditionally been the backbone of the economy, is now under pressure from both rising costs and limited opportunities for growth. While the wealthy are expanding their wealth through investments and innovation, the middle class is left to navigate a system that offers little support or relief.

The CEO’s observations have resonated with many who feel the weight of economic pressures in their daily lives. The quiet suffering of the middle class is a reflection of a broader economic trend, one that is not being addressed by policymakers or the media. As the middle class continues to absorb the economic shocks, the question remains: how can this crisis be addressed without further exacerbating the divide between the rich and the poor?

As the debate continues, the middle class’s struggles serve as a reminder of the need for systemic changes that can provide relief without further burdening those who are already stretched thin.