The Wide Disparities in Human Development, The Hindu Editorial Analysis

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The Hindu Editorial Analysis: The editorial analysis of The Hindu Newspaper Editorial Articles aimed at simplifying various concepts relevant to the UPSC and other State PSC Exams. The Editorial Analysis helps in expanding the knowledge base as well as framing better quality mains answers. Today’s Hindu Editorial Analysis discusses India’s poor performance in the Human Development Index (HDI) despite its economic growth.

India’s Performance in HDI

Despite being one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India’s progress has not been reflected in its Human Development Index (HDI). According to the 2021-22 Human Development Report, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries, falling behind Bangladesh (129) and Sri Lanka (73).

What is Human Development Index (HDI)?

The HDI is a composite measure developed by the United Nations Development Programme to evaluate human development across different regions of the world.

Its introduction in 1990 provided an alternative to economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do not capture the wider dimensions of human development.
The HDI measures a country’s average achievements in three areas:
- Health and longevity,
- Education, and
- Standard of living.

How HDI is Calculated for India?

To calculate the HDI, four indicators are used: life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

Life expectancy data is obtained from the Sample Registration System, while mean and expected years of schooling data are sourced from the National Family Health Survey-5.
However, as GNI per capita data is unavailable at the subnational level, gross state domestic product (GSDP) per capita is used as a proxy indicator for standard of living.
GSDP (PPP at constant prices 2011-12) data is extracted from the Reserve Bank of India’s Handbook of Statistics on Indian States, while GSDP per capita is estimated using population projections provided by the Registrar General of India’s office.
The calculation of the HDI involves determining the geometric mean of the normalised indices for the three dimensions of human development while applying the minimum and maximum values recommended by the UNDP and NSO.
The HDI ranges between 0 and 1, with higher scores indicating greater levels of human development

Subnational HDI for India

The subnational HDI reveals that while certain States have achieved substantial progress, others continue to face difficulties. Delhi ranks at the top, while Bihar is at the bottom. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that Bihar is no longer considered a low human development State, as was the case in previous HDI reports.

The top five States with the highest HDI scores are Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, and Chandigarh.
Delhi and Goa possess HDI scores exceeding 0.799, putting them on par with countries in Eastern Europe that exhibit very high levels of human development.
A total of nineteen States, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, have scores that fall between 0.7 and 0.799, and are categorised as States with high human development.

Analysis of Subnational HDI for India

The subnational HDI analysis reveals that certain States have made significant progress, while others continue to lag behind. Bihar ranks at the bottom of the list, with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam following close behind, all with medium levels of human development. Additionally, Odisha, Rajasthan, and West Bengal also fall into this category, having HDI scores below the national average. The scores of these lower-performing States are comparable to those of African countries like Congo, Ghana, Kenya, and Namibia.

Despite having the highest SGDP per capita among larger States, Gujarat and Haryana have not been able to convert this advantage into human development, and they rank 21 and 10, respectively.
Conversely, Kerala consistently shows high HDI values over the years due to its high literacy rates, strong healthcare infrastructure, and relatively high income levels.
Bihar, on the other hand, has consistently held the lowest HDI value among the States, with factors like high poverty rates, low literacy levels, and poor healthcare infrastructure contributing to this.
It should be noted that the analysis does not capture the impact of COVID-19 on subnational HDI. The complete effects of the pandemic on human development will only be known when post-pandemic estimates become available.

Reasons for Discrepancies in HDI Performance

The unequal distribution of economic growth is one of the primary reasons for the disparity in India’s human development. The wealthiest 10% of the population owns over 77% of the country’s wealth, leading to significant discrepancies in access to basic amenities, healthcare, and education. Moreover, although India has made significant strides in reducing poverty and increasing access to healthcare and education, there are still concerns about the quality of these services. Despite achieving near-universal enrolment in primary education, the quality of education remains low.

Way Forward

To ensure a more equitable distribution of the benefits of growth, it is imperative for governments to prioritize human development in addition to economic growth. This involves a multifaceted approach that-

Addresses income and gender inequality,
Enhances access to quality social services,
Tackles environmental challenges, and
Invests in social infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and basic household amenities, including clean water, sanitation facilities, clean fuel, electricity, and internet access in underdeveloped areas.

Conclusion

To fully realise its demographic potential, it is crucial for India to tackle the regional disparities in human development across its states, given its large size and population. India must prioritize investments in human development and job creation, particularly for its youth.

Human Development Index (HDI) FAQs

Q. What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?

Ans. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistical measure created by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to evaluate and compare the level of human development in different regions around the world. It takes into account three key dimensions: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

Q. How is the HDI calculated?

Ans. The HDI is calculated using four indicators: life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. The methodology involves calculating the geometric mean of the normalised indices for the three dimensions of human development while applying the maximum and minimum values recommended by the UNDP and National Statistical Office (NSO).

Q. What is the HDI of India?

Ans. According to the Human Development Report of 2021-22, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries, with an HDI score of 0.645. However, India’s subnational HDI shows significant variations among different States, with some ranking much higher than others.

Q. What are some of the factors affecting India’s HDI?

Ans. India’s HDI is affected by various factors, including uneven economic growth, income inequality, gender inequality, poor quality of social services, environmental challenges, and lack of investment in social infrastructure. These factors have resulted in significant disparities in access to basic amenities, healthcare, and education.

Sustainable Development Report 2022