India got richer, but did life improve? Austrian man's 22-year observation goes viral

An Austrian consultant's reflections on India after 22 years of visits have sparked a debate online. The discussion centres on whether economic gains have kept pace with everyday quality of life.

In Short

• India's economy grew rapidly, becoming more global and business-friendly
• Consultant Wolfgang Bergthaler notes decline in health, civic infrastructure and life quality
• Debate on whether economic progress matches improvements in daily life

India got richer, more global and more business-friendly. But has everyday life actually got better? An Austrian business consultant’s observations after 22 years of visiting the country have raised questions on whether India’s rapid growth has come at the cost of health, civic infrastructure and quality of life.

Wolfgang Bergthaler, an Austrian business consultant who works on Indo-European business development models, recently shared what he called the “other half of the story” about India after more than two decades of visits.

In his post, Bergthaler acknowledged India’s economic progress but argued that several aspects of everyday life had deteriorated. “Business opportunities are endless. India is the best/easiest place to become a millionaire,” he wrote. However, he questioned whether basic needs such as “clean air, water, organic food, privacy” were being adequately met.

He also pointed to changing food habits, saying, “People got richer. Their diets got poorer.” According to him, the growing availability of junk and fast food, coupled with a lack of sports and unhealthy lifestyles, has come with a visible cost.

Another major concern was the increasingly transactional nature of everyday relationships. Bergthaler said, “Everything became a business case. Indians were always good at making money. But today also health, education and friendship, etc feels transactional. Where is the room for relationships without an ROI (Return on Investment)?”

Technology and social media also came under his lens. He observed that people were constantly scrolling, while conversations that once lasted for hours now struggled to hold attention for long. “The attention span went from hours to reels,” he wrote.

Bergthaler further contrasted India’s global ambitions with what he described as deeply local power structures. “India went global. Hierarchy stayed local,” he said, pointing to the continued presence of old-school hierarchical structures despite global companies, new technology and agile workplaces.

He also said consumers had become more demanding, while patience and politeness had not necessarily kept pace. Doing business in India, he added, had become more professional but also more competitive, with foreign credentials no longer carrying the same weight.

His conclusion, however, was not that India was going backwards. “None of this means India is going backwards. Quite the opposite. India has made incredible progress. But India(ns) pay a high price,” he wrote.

See the post:

The post was amplified on X by Monica Jasuja, who questioned whether Gross Domestic Product (GDP), wealth, startups and infrastructure were enough to measure progress.

“If your income doubles but the quality of the air, water, traffic and everyday life deteriorates, are you actually better off?” she asked.

The posts triggered a mixed response online. While some users pointed to cities that have seen significant development, others found Wolfgang Bergthaler’s observations relatable, particularly his concerns about food quality, air pollution and public infrastructure in major Indian cities.

The debate, ultimately, went beyond whether his observations were entirely accurate. It raised a larger question: as India measures its rise through economic growth and global influence, should everyday quality of life be an equally important measure of progress?

- Ends