In this sentence, we can not compare Bihar, which is a state, with countries.so we have to use "lower than that of".which is clear and concise.
In GMAT, we have to select the answer among the given choices, so please don't distract yourself by thinking Lower or less.

yaa true... but what if we have 2 choices :

A) ..lower than...
B) ..lesser than..

Which one to go for ?

the subject of comparision is not the annual income, but it is about the state ( in this case Bihar).

Hence lower than is selected.

For the second point, Bihar cant be compared to any other country itself. Therefore, we use that of...

Bihar is India’s poorest state, with an annual per capita income of $111, lower than in the most impoverished countries of the world

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Here, the comparison is to be made in terms of per capita income and if the statement is corrected with the 2nd option it would be


Bihar is India’s poorest state, with an annual per capita income of $111, lower than that of in the most impoverished countries of the world.


Here, that in lower that that of is directed towards per capita income and it is not possible with other options..

a) lower than in -- what is lower than ??? It is not explicitly mentioned.

c) and introduces redundancy as , is alread present.

d) which directs to Bihar, which is not the one to be compared.

e) same as D.

Hope it is clear, and correct me if I go wrong.

necromancer_678 wrote:yaa true... but what if we have 2 choices :

A) ..lower than...
B) ..lesser than..

Which one to go for ?

comparison is made in terms of per capita income...
OA is ok but my question is what if we have the above mentioned options

If I am not wrong I read in GMAT sahil's note(Pg no-10)that 'Greater' is used when we compare numbers.I think 'lesser' can be used for sum of amount but when we compare with other amount then 'lower' is more appropriate.Expecting replies if I am wrong or confusing the readers :twisted:

I prefer lower than to lesser than.