India improved its ranking in the Human Development Index (HDI), jumping three spots to 130 in 2023 from 133 in 2022, according to a report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday.
India's HDI value rose to 0.685 in 2023 from 0.676 in 2022, placing the country in the 'medium human development' category. The ranking covers 190 nations.
"This advancement reflects sustained improvements in key dimensions of human development, particularly in mean years of schooling and national income per capita," said Angela Lusigi, resident representative, UNDP India.
The report titled 'A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI' highlighted that global HDI progress is the slowest since 1990, with India following the same trend.
"Had pre-2020 trends continued, the world would be on track to reach very high human development by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal timelines. Now, that milestone risks being delayed by decades," it said.
Bangladesh shared the same HDI ranking as India at 130. Pakistan ranked 168, falling under the category of 'low human development'.
The HDI measures a country's progress on three parameters-health, education and income.
India's HDI value has increased by over 53% since 1990, driven by economic growth and social welfare programmes.
Life expectancy in India reached 72 years in 2023, up from 58.6 in 1990, marking the highest record since the index started. It was 71.7 years in 2022.
The report credited the success to National Rural Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana and Poshan Abhiyaan.
On average, children in India are expected to stay in school for 12.95 years compared to 8.2 years in 1990. It was 12.96 years in 2022.
While programmes like Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Education Policy 2020 have improved education outcomes, the UNDP noted that quality and learning remain areas for continued focus.
India's gross national income rose to $9,046.76 in 2023 from $2,167.22 in 1990 based on 2021 PPP. It was $8,475.68 in 2022.
Further, 135 million Indians moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
However, income inequality remains an issue, which lowered India's HDI by 30.7%.
India has also made strides in the gender development index (GDI), ranking 102 in 2023 compared to 108 in 2022. However, it scored 0.874 in 2023 and was placed in group 5 of countries that face a significant gender gap.
"With a renewed focus on women-led development, quality education and healthcare for all, India is well positioned to achieve inclusive growth and continued progress on human development," said Lusigi.
The report also noted India as an emerging AI powerhouse, with the highest self-reported AI skills penetration.
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"This advancement reflects sustained improvements in key dimensions of human development, particularly in mean years of schooling and national income per capita," said Angela Lusigi, resident representative, UNDP India.
The report titled 'A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI' highlighted that global HDI progress is the slowest since 1990, with India following the same trend.
"Had pre-2020 trends continued, the world would be on track to reach very high human development by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal timelines. Now, that milestone risks being delayed by decades," it said.
Bangladesh shared the same HDI ranking as India at 130. Pakistan ranked 168, falling under the category of 'low human development'.
The HDI measures a country's progress on three parameters-health, education and income.
India's HDI value has increased by over 53% since 1990, driven by economic growth and social welfare programmes.
Life expectancy in India reached 72 years in 2023, up from 58.6 in 1990, marking the highest record since the index started. It was 71.7 years in 2022.
The report credited the success to National Rural Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana and Poshan Abhiyaan.
On average, children in India are expected to stay in school for 12.95 years compared to 8.2 years in 1990. It was 12.96 years in 2022.
While programmes like Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Education Policy 2020 have improved education outcomes, the UNDP noted that quality and learning remain areas for continued focus.
India's gross national income rose to $9,046.76 in 2023 from $2,167.22 in 1990 based on 2021 PPP. It was $8,475.68 in 2022.
Further, 135 million Indians moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
However, income inequality remains an issue, which lowered India's HDI by 30.7%.
India has also made strides in the gender development index (GDI), ranking 102 in 2023 compared to 108 in 2022. However, it scored 0.874 in 2023 and was placed in group 5 of countries that face a significant gender gap.
"With a renewed focus on women-led development, quality education and healthcare for all, India is well positioned to achieve inclusive growth and continued progress on human development," said Lusigi.
The report also noted India as an emerging AI powerhouse, with the highest self-reported AI skills penetration.
