Annually, India witnesses 80 lakh to 1 crore weddings, outstripping countries like China and the US, where wedding numbers rank much lower. In comparison, the US wedding industry is valued at USD 70 billion, and China’s at USD 170 billion, while India’s stands robustly at USD 130 billion, according to brokerage Jefferies
The Indian wedding industry, with an approximate size of Rs 10 lakh crore (USD 130 billion), stands as the second-largest consumption category, trailing only behind food and grocery, a recent report has revealed.
The allure of Indian weddings, characterized by elaborate ceremonies and lavish spending, sees an average expenditure far surpassing that on education.
Annually, India witnesses 80 lakh to 1 crore weddings, outstripping countries like China and the US, where wedding numbers rank much lower. In comparison, the US wedding industry is valued at USD 70 billion, and China’s at USD 170 billion, while India’s stands robustly at USD 130 billion, according to brokerage Jefferies.
This vibrant sector not only drives direct consumption in jewellery and apparel but also indirectly boosts other markets, such as automobiles and electronics. Despite attempts to curb extravagant spending, luxury weddings at exotic locations continue to manifest Indian opulence.
The report said India’s wedding spending-to-GDP ratio is significantly higher than that of other countries.
“Weddings have a deep cultural significance in India and drive large consumption spending, often disproportionate to income levels,” according to the report.
Wedding-related spending, in fact, is sized at $130 billion, spread across a wide range of products and services including jewellery, apparel, event management, catering, entertainment, etc, the report mentioned.
The report highlights that Indian weddings, if considered a single category, would be the second largest retail sector, demonstrating the extensive scope and economic impact of weddings in India.