A Remarkable Shift: National Multidimensional Poverty Index Reveals Progress
India has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against poverty, as highlighted by the recently released National Multidimensional Poverty Index by NITI Aayog. The report reveals that more than 135 million Indians have successfully emerged from multidimensional poverty over the course of five years, demonstrating a noteworthy shift in the country’s socioeconomic landscape.
Steady Decline: Proportion of Poor Drops from 24.8% to 14.9%
The comprehensive index shows a remarkable reduction in the proportion of the population living in poverty. Between 2015-16 and 2019-21, the percentage of the poor decreased from 24.8% to 14.9%, reflecting the collective efforts made to uplift millions of individuals from multidimensional deprivation.
Uttar Pradesh Leads: Highest Number of Individuals Escaping Poverty
Among the states that witnessed significant progress, Uttar Pradesh emerges at the forefront. With an impressive decline, the state saw 34.3 million people breaking free from poverty. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh closely follow, indicating the widespread impact of poverty reduction initiatives across different regions of the country.
Analyzing the Dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living
The National Multidimensional Poverty Index evaluates progress across three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and standard of living. It takes into account various indicators aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, such as nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health, years of schooling, access to clean cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets, and financial inclusion.
Rural vs. Urban: Poverty Reduction Trends in Different Areas
The analysis also reveals distinct trends in poverty reduction between rural and urban areas. The rural regions experienced a faster decline, with poverty rates decreasing from 32.5% to 19.2%. In contrast, urban areas witnessed a reduction from 8.65% to 5.27%. These findings underscore the need for tailored approaches to address the unique challenges faced by both settings.
Significance for Sustainable Development: Achieving SDG Target 1.2 Ahead of Schedule
The substantial progress made in reducing multidimensional poverty positions India ahead of schedule in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 1.2. The MPI value has nearly halved from 0.117 to 0.066 between 2015-16 and 2019-21, accompanied by a reduction in the intensity of poverty from 47% to 44%. These positive outcomes indicate a positive trajectory towards eradicating poverty and improving the well-being of the population.
Contributing Factors: Flagship Programs Making a Difference
NITI Aayog attributes this remarkable progress to the implementation of flagship programs. Initiatives like the Poshan Abhiyan, which focuses on nutrition, and Anaemia Mukt Bharat, aimed at addressing anemia, have played a crucial role in reducing health-related deprivations. Additionally, the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission have significantly improved access to sanitation and clean drinking water nationwide.
Interlinked Initiatives: Collaborative Efforts Yield Positive Outcomes
The reduction in multidimensional poverty reflects the success of interlinked initiatives such as Saubhagya, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, and Samagra Shiksha. These programs, addressing aspects like access to electricity, housing, financial inclusion, and quality education, have collectively contributed to the positive shift in India’s poverty landscape.
As India continues its fight against poverty, the significant progress made in recent years serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of government programs, NGOs, and the resilience of the Indian people. While challenges remain, the country is moving closer to realizing a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens.