India's middle class faces harsh reality as lifestyle affordability could be under threat. Millennials last gen to own homes?

India’s middle class — long seen as the country’s economic backbone — is beginning to feel the pressure of a rapidly changing cost landscape. A discussion on Reddit sparked debate over what the middle class will realistically be able to afford in the near future. From owning homes to employing household help, the list of luxuries turning into unaffordable expenses seems to be growing longer each year.

A Reddit post titled “Things which will be difficult for middle class to afford in near future” outlined several concerns about rising living costs. It pointed out that household support such as full-time cooks, drivers, and daily maids may soon be out of reach for average families. As urban migration increases and demand for domestic workers grows, their wages are expected to rise, making them less accessible to middle-income homes. “Cooks won't be affordable, maids will come on alternate days,” the post noted, predicting that middle-class households will soon have to make significant lifestyle adjustments.


Education and family planning under strain

The post also highlighted the growing financial burden of private education. With some schools charging as much as ₹3–4 lakh a year for nursery admissions, parents may have no choice but to opt for budget schools. “People now have the option of two kids but in near future they can't afford two children, they will have one,” it added. Many users echoed this concern, saying the cost of education, healthcare, and housing is forcing families to rethink traditional middle-class aspirations.

Owning a home — a fading dream

Perhaps the most alarming observation in the discussion was the belief that millennials could be the last generation capable of buying property. “Most of the middle class will have to stay on rent. Millennials are the last generation which can afford to buy a flat,” the post read. As property prices continue to soar in major metros, even well-earning professionals are finding homeownership increasingly out of reach.


The debate over what ‘middle class’ really means

The post triggered a flood of responses questioning the definition of “middle class.” One user wrote, “Thirty years back, cooks and cars were only for the upper class.” Another pointed out that many of the examples in the post reflect the lifestyle of the upper-middle class rather than the true middle-income group. A user commented sarcastically, “Apparently middle class people have staffs of maids, cooks, and drivers. So upper middle class people must be the ones with butlers and valets.”

Some Redditors also drew comparisons with global standards. One user argued that such expectations are unique to India, stating, “That’s not how things work in the rest of the world.” Another added that India’s high unemployment and poverty rates make the situation distinct, saying the country’s economy may continue to rely on a small percentage of well-employed citizens while the majority struggle with low-paying jobs.

Amid the cynicism, a few users offered a more balanced perspective. One pointed out that digital education and hybrid learning platforms are making quality schooling more accessible, even as private school fees rise. “Expensive private schools have always existed but not everyone needs them to get good outcomes,” the user noted. They also observed that while buying homes in metros is becoming unrealistic, tier-2 and tier-3 cities are witnessing a housing boom, changing the meaning of what’s considered “affordable.”