India has made significant strides in human development and gender equality, according to the latest United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report released on Monday.
The report, titled "Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World," highlighted India's improvement in various indices, including the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) and the Gender Inequality Index (GII).
India's HDI ranking climbed by one position in 2022, placing the nation at 134 out of 193 countries and territories, up from 135 in 2021. The country's HDI value rose to 0.644 in 2022 from 0.633 the previous year, reflecting advancements in life expectancy, education, and gross national income (GNI) per capita.
Moreover, India witnessed a remarkable jump of 14 ranks on the GII in 2022, now ranking 108 out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.437 compared to 122 out of 191 countries with a score of 0.490 in 2021. Despite this progress, India continues to face challenges, particularly in narrowing the gender gap in its labor force participation rate, which stands at 47.8%.
The report commended India's efforts in reducing gender inequality, noting improvements in reproductive health and empowerment. Over the last decade, India's rank on the GII has consistently improved, from 127 in 2014 to 108 in 2022.
In response to the findings, the women and child development ministry highlighted the government's initiatives aimed at women's empowerment, including policies focused on education, skill development, entrepreneurship, and workplace safety.
However, the report also sounded a cautionary note, stating that global inequalities are on the rise, with the gap between the richest and poorest countries widening since 2020. India's loss in HDI due to inequality is reported at 31.1%, with South Asia experiencing some of the highest losses globally.
Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP, emphasized the need for collective action to address these disparities and ensure that people's aspirations are met in an interconnected world.
India's progress in human development and gender equality underscores the importance of continued efforts to address socio-economic disparities and promote inclusivity and empowerment across all segments of society.
The UNDP report serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead and the imperative for sustained cooperation and action to build a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Comparative Statistics:
1. United Nations Human Development Index (HDI):
- India's Ranking 2021: 135 out of 191 countries
- India's Ranking 2022: 134 out of 193 countries
2. Gender Inequality Index (GII):
- India's Ranking 2021: 122 out of 191 countries
- India's Ranking 2022: 108 out of 193 countries
3. Labour Force Participation Rate Gender Gap:
- Difference Between Women and Men: 47.8%
4. Life Expectancy:
- 2021: 67.2 years
- 2022: 67.7 years
5. Expected Years of Schooling:
- 2021: 12.6 years
- 2022: 12.6 years
6. Mean Years of Schooling:
- 2021: 6.57 years
- 2022: 6.57 years
7. Gross National Income (GNI) per Capita:
- 2021: USD 6,542
- 2022: USD 6,951
8. HDI Value Increase (1990-2022):
- Percentage Increase: 48.4%
9. GII Value:
- Global Average: 0.462
- South Asian Average: 0.478
- India's GII Value: 0.437
10. Adolescent Birth Rate (per 1,000 women ages 15-19):
- 2021: 17.1 births
- 2022: 16.3 births
11. India's HDI Loss Due to Inequality:
- Percentage: 31.1%
12. South Asia's HDI Loss Due to Inequality:
- Among the Highest in the World (after Sub-Saharan Africa)
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