NITI Aayog report: 24.82 cr Indians escape multidimensional poverty in 9 years

According to the NITI discussion paper, India has witnessed a reduction in multidimensional poverty from 29.17 percent in 2013-14 to 11.28 percent in 2022-23. (Representative Image)

India has registered a 17.89 percent decline in multidimensional poverty from 29.17 percent in 2013-14 to 11.28 percent in 2022-23 with Uttar Pradesh recording the largest drop in the number of poor, according to a NITI Aayog discussion paper ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06’ released on Monday.

With significant initiatives covering all dimensions of poverty leading to 24.82 crore individuals escaping multidimensional poverty in the last 9 years, India is likely to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of halving multidimensional poverty well before 2030, the paper said.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a globally recognised comprehensive measure that captures poverty in multiple dimensions beyond monetary aspects. MPI’s global methodology is based on the robust Alkire and Foster (AF) method that identifies people as poor based on universally acknowledged metrics designed to assess acute poverty, providing a complementary perspective to conventional monetary poverty measures.

“Uttar Pradesh registered the largest decline with 5.94 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty during the last nine years followed by Bihar at 3.77 crore, Madhya Pradesh at 2.30 crore and Rajasthan at 1.87 crore,” it said.

The paper also shows that the pace of decline in poverty headcount ratio using the exponential method was much faster between 2015-16 to 2019-21 (10.66 percent annual rate of decline) compared to period 2005-06 to 2015-16 (7.69 percent annual rate of decline).

All 12 indicators of MPI have recorded significant improvement during the entire study period. To assess the poverty levels in the year 2013-14 against the current scenario (i.e. for the year 2022-23), projected estimates have been used due to data limitations for these specific periods.

Initiatives like Poshan Abhiyan and Anemia Mukt Bharat have significantly enhanced access to healthcare facilities, leading to a substantial decrease in deprivation. Operating one of the world's largest food security programs, the Targeted Public Distribution System under the National Food Security Act covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries, providing food grains to rural and urban populations, the NITI Aayog paper said.

“Schemes such as extending free food grain distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, clean cooking fuel distribution through Ujjwala Yojana, improved electricity coverage via Saubhagya, and transformative campaigns like Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission have collectively elevated living conditions and overall well-being of people,” it said.

Additionally, flagship programs like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and PM Awas Yojana have played pivotal roles in financial inclusion and providing safe housing for the underprivileged.