Human Development Index: India Jumps A Spot Among 189 Nations

In the recently released Human Development Index 2019, India managed to climb one spot up and is placed at 129th position from last year's 130th position among 189 countries. The Human Development Report (HDR) was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday.

Key Takeaways:

• The Human Development Index was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday.
• India jumped one spot up from 130th to 129th place in the Human Index 2019, the report states.
• The index ranks countries on the basis of three major factors: life expectancy, education and per capita income.
• The top three countries in the index are Norway, Switzerland, Ireland in that order.

An Increase In India's Human Development Index Value By 50 Percent

According to the report, India’s HDI value increased by 50 percent (from 0.431 to 0.647), which places it above the average for other South Asian countries (0.642). In another aspect of the index that is the inequality-adjusted human development index (IHDI), India loss one point and came to 130th spot, losing nearly half the progress (.647 to .477) made in the past 30 years. The IHDI indicates percentage loss in HDI due to inequalities. Germany is placed fourth along with Hong Kong, and Australia secured the fifth rank on the global ranking.

Also Read: India Ranks 95 Out Of 129 Countries In New Global Gender Equality Index

One positive milestone for India was lifting 27.1 crores people, out from poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16. Also, according to the HDI, no other country in the region has achieved as rapid development as India.

No Place In The World Has Gender Equality

The report also highlights the issue of gender inequality. It says that the world is not on the right track to achieve gender equality by 2030. It forecasts that it may take 202 years to close the gender gap in economic opportunity. The report also cites that only 14 percent women and 10 percent men around the globe enjoy gender equality.

Also Read: India Ranks 102 In The Global Hunger Index 2019, Lowest In South Asia

In countries, including India, gender bias has proven to be the biggest obstruction in women's empowerment. Moreover, these biases are substantiated by blind and illogical beliefs that are more prevalent in areas where power is involved. The report also hints towards new sorts of bias in the near future owing to climate and technological changes. In the Gender Inequality Index (GII), India is at 122 out of 162 countries. Neighbours China (39), Sri Lanka (86), Bhutan (99), Myanmar (106) were placed above India.

According to the report, India’s HDI value increased by 50% (from 0.431 to 0.647), which places it above the average for other South Asian countries (0.642). In another aspect of the index, that is the inequality-adjusted human development index (IHDI), India loss one point and came to 130th spot, losing nearly half the progress (.647 to .477) made in the past 30 years.

27.1 Crore People Lifted Out Of Poverty

One positive milestone for India was lifting 27.1 crores people, out from poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16. Also, according to the HDI, no other country in the region has achieved as rapid development as India. India has seen a dramatic reduction in absolute poverty, along with gains in life expectancy, education, and access to health care.

Picture Credits: Navbharat Times

Also Read: India Ranks 133rd In The Women, Peace And Security Index 2019