In a significant indicator of India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation, a NITI Aayog report reveals that 24.82 crore individuals in India have moved out of multidimensional poverty in the past nine years. The report indicates a notable reduction in multidimensional poverty from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, marking a substantial decline of 17.89 percentage points. Uttar Pradesh saw the largest decrease in the number of poor, with 5.94 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty, followed by Bihar (3.77 crore), Madhya Pradesh (2.30 crore), and Rajasthan (1.87 crore).
The pace of decline in the poverty headcount ratio accelerated between 2015-16 to 2019-21, showing a 10.66% annual rate of decline, compared to the period 2005-06 to 2015-16, which had a 7.69% annual rate of decline. All 12 indicators of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) recorded significant improvement during the study period. The NITI Aayog’s Discussion Paper attributes this progress to the government’s comprehensive initiatives addressing various dimensions of poverty between 2013-14 to 2022-23.
Flagship programs such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and PM Awas Yojana have played crucial roles in financial inclusion and providing safe housing. Despite variations in state performance, traditionally high-poverty states have made significant progress, reducing inter-state disparities in multidimensional poverty. This progress is swiftly addressing fundamental issues in accessing basic services, propelling the country toward its goal of becoming a developed nation.
