13.5 crore Indians escape Multidimensional Poverty in 5 years

– Steep decline in number of multidimensionally poor from 24.85% to 14.96% between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

– Rural areas saw the fastest decline in poverty from 32.59% to 19.28%.

– India on track to achieve SDG Target 1.2 much ahead of 2030 deadline.

– Substantial improvements across all the 12 MPI indicators on ground.

– Uttar Pradesh registered the highest decline in the number of poor with 3.43 crore, followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh

UditVani, New Delhi: In a significant development, a new report by NITI Aayog, titled “National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023,” reveals that an astounding 13.5 crore individuals in India managed to lift themselves out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21. The report, which was released today, witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Shri Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, and Members of NITI Aayog, Dr. V K. Paul and Dr. Arvind Virmani, alongside Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog.
According to the report, India witnessed a substantial decline of 9.89 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor individuals, reducing from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-21. The rural areas experienced the fastest decline, with poverty rates dropping from 32.59% to 19.28%. In urban areas, poverty rates decreased from 8.65% to 5.27%. Uttar Pradesh witnessed the largest decline, with 3.43 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty. The report provides multidimensional poverty estimates for all 36 States and Union Territories, as well as 707 Administrative Districts, and highlights the fastest reduction in poverty proportions in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
Between 2015-16 and 2019-21, the MPI value in India nearly halved, reducing from 0.117 to 0.066, while the intensity of poverty decreased from 47% to 44%. These remarkable achievements place India on track to achieve SDG Target 1.2 (reducing multidimensional poverty by at least half) well ahead of the stipulated deadline of 2030. This success underscores the government’s strategic focus on sustainable and equitable development, as well as its commitment to eradicating poverty by 2030 in line with the SDGs.

The second edition of the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is based on the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) and reflects India’s progress in combating multidimensional poverty compared to the previous surveys (NFHS-4, 2015-16). This report builds upon the Baseline Report of India’s National MPI, which was launched in November 2021. The methodology employed aligns with global standards.
The National MPI measures deprivation across three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and standard of living, represented by 12 indicators aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These indicators include nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health, years of schooling, school attendance, cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets, and bank accounts. The report highlights significant improvement across all 12 indicators.
The Indian government’s dedicated efforts to improve access to sanitation, nutrition, cooking fuel, financial inclusion, drinking water, and electricity have resulted in significant progress in these areas. All 12 parameters of the MPI have shown notable improvements.
Flagship programs such as the Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission) and Anaemia Mukt Bharat (Anemia Free India) have contributed to the reduction of health-related deprivations. Initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) and Jal Jeevan Mission (Water for All) have played a pivotal role in improving sanitation across the country. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides subsidized cooking fuel, has positively impacted lives, resulting in a significant reduction in cooking fuel deprivations.
Other initiatives like Saubhagya (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (Financial Inclusion Program), and Samagra Shiksha (Integrated Education Scheme) have also contributed significantly to the reduction of multidimensional poverty in India. The progress achieved in areas such as electricity, access to bank accounts, and drinking water signifies the government’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of its citizens and creating a brighter future for all. The consistent implementation of a diverse set of programs and initiatives, interconnected and mutually reinforcing, has resulted in significant reductions in deprivations across multiple indicators.