- According to UNDP’s Human Development Report, while India’s Human Development Index (HDI) has increased marginally, it is the lowest ranked among all the BRICS countries (135th out of 187 countries).
- HDI is a composite average that measures that measures income, education (average years of education completed by adults, and expected years of education for children entering school) and health (life expectancy). India’s score is 0.586 out of a maximum possible 1.
- In India, despite faster economic growth, HDI improved slower than in 2000s that it did during the 1980s, however it is better than that in 1990s.
- When equality is factored in, the HDI drops by nearly 30%. The HDI is also substantially greater for men (0.627) than for women (0.519).
- The report also includes estimates for a newer Multi-dimensional Poverty Index which could not be updated since India has not collected new health statistics since 2005.
- A basic social floor — universal basic old age and disability pensions, basic childcare benefits, universal access to essential health care, social assistance and a 100-day employment scheme will cost India less than 4% of its GDP.
- It recommends strong universal social protections and schemes as opposed to targeted schemes as globally they have shown to be more efficient in providing social services.
- Countries with lower levels of income per capita than that of India such as Costa Rice, Ghana and South Korea as well as Scandinavian nations have enacted social security legislation.
- It has urged countries to return to their goal of 100% employment.
- With one year to go before the Millenium Development Goals lapse, while progress has been made, it is on shaky ground on account of economic crises, social unrest, conflict and climate change.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/india-far-behind-other-brics-nations-on-human-development/article6247133.ece