India witnessed a remarkable reduction in multidimensional poverty, with 13.5 crore people lifted out of poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21, according to a report released by NITI Aayog on Monday.
The report titled “National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023” reveals that India experienced a significant decline of 9.80 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor individuals, dropping from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-2021.
The findings are based on the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21). This second edition of the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) assesses India’s progress in reducing multidimensional poverty between the two surveys, NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21), as stated by the government’s think tank. The index builds on the Baseline Report of India’s National MPI, which was launched in November 2021.
The report highlights that rural areas experienced the fastest decline in poverty, decreasing from 32.59% to 19.28%. Similarly, urban areas witnessed a reduction in poverty from 8.65% to 5.27% during the same period.
Key Points:
- 13.5 crore people in India moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
- India’s multidimensional poverty rate decreased from 24.85% to 14.96% during the same period.
- The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures India’s progress in reducing poverty.
- Rural areas saw a decline in poverty from 32.59% to 19.28%, while urban areas saw a decrease from 8.65% to 5.27%.
- Uttar Pradesh witnessed the largest decline in the number of poor, with 3.43 crore individuals escaping multidimensional poverty.
- Other states, such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan, also experienced significant reductions in multidimensional poverty.
- The MPI value nearly halved from 0.117 to 0.066, and the intensity of poverty decreased from 47% to 44% between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
- India’s progress aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of reducing multidimensional poverty by at least half by 2030.
The report underlines the government’s strategic focus on sustainable and equitable development and its commitment to eradicating poverty by 2030, as outlined in the SDGs.
Source: Meenakshi Verma Ambwani
