Lok Sabha Question No. 1981 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: United National Human Development Index
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1981 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02-08-2024

## UNITED NATIONALHUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX

## 1981. DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Country has improved its position in United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) to 134 out of 193 nations as per the data of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
- (b) if so, the details of the three key dimensions where the Country has successfully improved its position; and
- (c) the details of key findings of UNDP and its suggestions for time bound reform to improve Human Development Index in India?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a): United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) makes ranking of various countries on the count of Human Development Index (HDI). As per the UNDP's Human Development Report 2023/2024, the rank of India has improved by one position to 134, out of 193 countries.

(b): Human Development Index is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development viz., a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and has a decent standard of living with equal weight of 33.33 %. These three dimensions are further subdivided into 4 indicators of human development, viz. Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB) from Health, Expected Years of Schooling (EYS) and Mean Years of Schooling (MYS) from Education, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP $) from Income. The summary of India's performance in HDI 2023/2024 Report is as under:

Source: https://hdr.undp.org/content/human-development-report-2023-24

|                                        |               | Value   | Value   |
|----------------------------------------|---------------|---------|---------|
| Indicators of HDI                      | Unit          | 2021    | 2022    |
|                                        |               | 0.633   | 0.644   |
| Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB)         | Years         | 67.2    | 67.7    |
| Expected Years of Schooling (EYS)      | Years         | 11.9    | 12.6    |
| Mean Years of Schooling (MYS)          | Years         | 6.7     | 6.6     |
| Gross National Income (GNI) per capita | 2017 (PPP $)* | 6,590   | 6,951   |

* PPP-Purchasing Power Parity Rates

(c): The details of key findings of UNDP and its suggestions for time bound reform to improve Human Development Index in India are as under:

- (i) After a drop in 2021, India's HDI value increases from 0.633 to 0.644 in 2023/2024 Report, placing the country in the medium human development category.
- (ii) In HDI 2023/2024 Report, India saw improvements across all HDI indicators-life expectancy, education and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. Life expectancy rose from 67.2 to 67.7 years, expected years of schooling reached 12.6, mean years of schooling increased to 6.6, and GNI per capita saw an increase from $6,590 to $6,951.
- (iii) India has shown remarkable progress in human development over the years. Since 1990, life expectancy at birth has risen by 9.1 years; expected years of schooling have increased by 4.6 years, and mean years of schooling have grown by 3.8 years. India's GNI per capita has grown by approximately 287 percent.
- (iv) With a renewed focus on women-led development, and digital public goods for people and planet, India can further unlock socio-economic progress, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

****