West Bengal aims for fivefold economic growth by 2047

A report by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) titled ‘Bikoshito Bongo: An Evidence-Based Policy Roadmap for West Bengal’s 5X Economy’ outlines the requirements for West Bengal to achieve a fivefold expansion of its real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by 2047.

To reach this goal, the state requires a sustained annual growth rate of 7.25 per cent. This is significantly higher than the trend growth of 4.69 per cent recorded between 2011-12 and 2024-25. While manufacturing and certain services are currently exceeding this necessary threshold, the agriculture sector—which accounts for 22.24 per cent of value added—has grown at only 2.89 per cent.

The report identifies several constraints, including productivity gaps in manufacturing, post-harvest losses in agriculture, and underdeveloped tourism and digital services. Other challenges include fragmented infrastructure, land acquisition issues, and fiscal pressures that limit public investment. The ORF proposes a six-pillar strategy focusing on productive transformation, connectivity, human development, fiscal sustainability, governance, and natural capital.