Kolkata Leads Digital Charge Amid Rising Costs: Home Credit’s ‘Great Indian Wallet 2025’ Reveals Aspirational Shift

Home Credit India’s latest report ‘The Great Indian Wallet 2025’ unveils a powerful narrative of India’s lower middle class turning ambition into action, with Kolkata emerging as a digital frontrunner. The study, themed ‘Mapping India’s Aspirations: The Dreams in Every Wallet’, captures how two-thirds of India is navigating economic headwinds with optimism, pragmatism, and increasing digital fluency. Kolkata households report an average monthly income of ₹33,000 and expenses of ₹20,000, with a savings rate dropping to 59% amid rising living costs. Essential spends are led by groceries (36%), followed by education (15%), commute and rent (14% each), and medical needs (9%). Despite financial pressures, Kolkata showcases vibrant discretionary spending habits—44% spend on travel, 42% on dining out, and 31% on movies, while fashion (49%) and electronics (24%) top big-ticket purchases over six months. The city leads in UPI usage at 87%, highlighting deep digital integration, though 53% of users say they would abandon it if charges apply. Online fraud remains a challenge with 77% awareness, 25% reporting scams, and over half facing frequent attempts. According to Ashish Tiwari, CMO at Home Credit India, the findings reflect “a nation of quiet revolutionaries” where digital adoption, financial discipline, and the pursuit of a better future are redefining aspirations across India.