India Witnesses Remarkable Reduction in Multidimensional Poverty

• 17 Jan 2024

Recently, NITI Aayog's Discussion Paper reveals a substantial decline in multidimensional poverty in India, with 24.82 crore people escaping poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23, attributing the achievement to comprehensive government initiatives.

Key Points

• Poverty Headcount Ratio Decline: The Discussion Paper reports a significant reduction in the Poverty Headcount Ratio from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, marking a remarkable decline of 17.89 percentage points.
• State-wise Improvements: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh lead in reducing multidimensional poverty, with 5.94 crore, 3.77 crore, and 2.30 crore individuals escaping poverty, respectively.
• Faster Decline in Recent Years: The paper highlights a faster annual rate of decline (10.66%) in poverty headcount ratio between 2015-16 to 2019-21 compared to the period from 2005-06 to 2015-16 (7.69% annual rate of decline).
• Comprehensive MPI Improvement: All 12 indicators of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) exhibit significant improvement, reflecting progress in various dimensions beyond monetary aspects.
• Government Initiatives' Impact: Initiatives like Poshan Abhiyan and Anemia Mukt Bharat, coupled with food security programs like the Targeted Public Distribution System, contribute to the substantial decrease in deprivation.
• Programs Elevating Living Conditions: Flagship programs such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Jal Jeevan Mission collectively enhance living conditions and overall well-being.
• Inter-state Disparity Reduction: States traditionally grappling with high poverty rates show significant progress, reducing inter-state disparities in multidimensional poverty.
• Towards Developed Nation Status: The collective progress in resolving fundamental issues in accessing basic services paves the way for India to aspire towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat.
• SDG Target Achievement: India is poised to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 1.2, halving multidimensional poverty well before the 2030 deadline, showcasing the government's dedication to improving the lives of the vulnerable and deprived.