The NITI Aayog has released the second edition of the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report, which evaluates India’s progress in reducing multidimensional poverty based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data from 2015-16 and 2019-21. The report provides insights into the simultaneous deprivations across health, education, and standard of living indicators, showcasing India’s significant advancements in poverty reduction.
Striking Improvements in Poverty Reduction Across Indicators
The National MPI measures progress across 12 SDG-aligned indicators, including nutrition, mortality rates, education, access to basic amenities, and financial inclusion. The report highlights marked improvements in all 12 indicators, indicating a significant decline in multidimensional poverty in India. The number of multi-dimensionally poor individuals in India reduced by 9.89 percentage points, from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-21.
Rural-Urban Divide and State-level Achievements
The report sheds light on the disparities between rural and urban areas in poverty reduction. Rural regions witnessed the fastest decline in poverty, with a reduction from 32.59% to 19.28%, while urban areas saw a decline from 8.65% to 5.27%. Uttar Pradesh emerged as the state with the largest decline, as 3.43 crore individuals escaped multidimensional poverty. Other states, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan, also showcased notable progress in poverty reduction.
Progress Towards SDG Target 1.2
The report indicates that India is on track to achieve SDG Target 1.2, which aims to reduce multidimensional poverty by at least half before 2030. The MPI value has nearly halved from 0.117 to 0.066 between 2015-16 and 2019-21, accompanied by a reduction in poverty intensity from 47% to 44%. These figures highlight India’s commitment to sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Government Initiatives Driving Poverty Reduction
The report attributes India’s progress to various government initiatives focused on improving access to sanitation, nutrition, education, financial inclusion, and basic amenities. Flagship programs such as Poshan Abhiyan, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and others have played a significant role in reducing deprivations and enhancing the standard of living for millions of people. The consistent implementation of these programs has led to notable improvements in electricity access, bank account penetration, sanitation facilities, and cooking fuel availability.
