Foreign banks, which appeal to companies and richer Indians, are more profitable in India than their local rivals (see chart).

ECONOMIST: Indian banks: For I'm a jolly good fellow | The

The survey compares the prices of goods and services typically consumed by the families of executives being sent overseas. (Importantly, however, it does not include the cost of accommodation.) The chart shows local costs as a percentage of those of living in New York.

ECONOMIST: LIVING EXPENSES

State and local governments account for most public investment (see chart).

ECONOMIST: The economy