India has achieved considerable progress in eliminating multidimensional poverty, with 24.82 crore individuals escaping poverty over the previous nine years and the poverty headcount ratio has declined sharply from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, according to the NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index which released extrapolated data for the year 2022-23.
States with the highest poverty rates
The NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report shows that Bihar has the greatest percentage of poor people, with 26.59% living in poverty. This is followed by Meghalaya, with a poverty rate of 25.46%, whereas in Jharkhand, it is 23.34%. Other states with significant poverty rates include Uttar Pradesh with 17.4%.
States with the Lowest Poverty Rates
On the other end of the spectrum, some states have effectively reduced poverty. Goa has the lowest poverty rate in India, with only 0.37% of the people living in poverty. Other states with low poverty rates include Kerala (0.48%), Tamil Nadu (1.43%), and Sikkim (2.1%).
Union territories
Puducherry and Lakshadweep have the lowest poverty rates among the Union Territories, at 1.72% and 1.82%, respectively. On the other side, Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the highest poverty rate among the Union Territories (27.36%).
Rate of Poverty Decline
Between 2015-16 and 2019-21, the poverty headcount ratio fell at a substantially quicker rate (10.66% per year) than it did from 2005-06 to 2015-16 (7.69% per year).
Government initiatives
Significant government actions targeting all dimensions of poverty have resulted in 24.82 crore people overcoming multidimensional poverty during the previous nine years. As a result, India is expected to meet its SDG objective of reducing multidimensional poverty well before 2030.
Conclusion
The multidimensional poverty index offers a thorough measurement that encompasses poverty in more ways than just financial ones. The notable decrease in multidimensional poverty observed in India is evidence of the efficacy of governmental policies and activities geared at reducing poverty.
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