Significant Reduction in Multidimensional Poverty in India: NITI Aayog Report
Poverty Decline in India
New Delhi, July 23: Recent estimates reveal a notable decrease in multidimensional poverty in India, which encompasses not only food security but also access to health and educational resources. According to data from NITI Aayog, the poverty rate has dropped from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, indicating that approximately 24.82 crore individuals have risen above the poverty line during this timeframe, as reported by Minister of State for Planning, Rao Inderjit Singh, in Parliament on Wednesday.
An additional report titled ‘National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023’, published by NITI Aayog, shows that the percentage of the population living in multidimensional poverty fell from 24.85% to 14.96% between 2015-16 and 2019-21. This suggests that around 13.5 crore people have escaped poverty during this period, as stated by the minister in a written response to a Lok Sabha inquiry.
The minister further explained that in 2021, the government introduced a detailed index known as the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to assess poverty. This index accounts for various overlapping deprivations across dimensions such as health, education, and living standards, utilizing 12 indicators including nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health, years of schooling, school attendance, cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, bank accounts, and assets. It evaluates both the proportion of individuals in poverty and the extent of their deprivation. The second edition of this index was released in 2023.
The government has also emphasized its efforts in providing tap water to 16 crore households and constructing 5 crore homes for economically disadvantaged families, as part of its initiatives aimed at enhancing the economic conditions and living standards of the populace.
Prime Minister Modi previously mentioned in Parliament that despite 75 years of independence, 75% of households, equating to nearly 16 crore homes, lacked tap water connections. In just five years, the government has managed to supply tap water to 12 crore families.
He highlighted that 4 crore houses have been allocated to the poor, and over 12 crore toilets have been constructed to enhance the quality of life, particularly for women who have faced significant challenges due to the absence of these essential facilities.