Over the past nine years, 24.82 crore people in India have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty, with the biggest decreases seen in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, according to a report released by the NITI Aayog on Monday.
The results of the NITI Aayog Discussion Paper “Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-’06” show that throughout this time, the percentage of the Indian population living in multidimensional poverty decreased from 29.17% in 2013–14 to 11.28% in 2022–2023 (about 24.82 crore).
With 5.94 crore people fleeing multidimensional poverty during the last nine years, Uttar Pradesh saw the biggest decrease in the number of impoverished, followed by Bihar with 3.77 crore, Madhya Pradesh with 2.30 crore, and Rajasthan with 1.87 crore.
“All 12 indicators of MPI have recorded significant improvement during the entire study period. To assess the poverty levels in the year 2013-14 against the current scenario (i.e. for the year 2022-23), projected estimates have been used due to data limitations for these specific periods,” a release statement by NITI Aayog said.
“The government of India has made remarkable progress in improving the lives of people, aiming to reduce poverty in all dimensions. Noteworthy initiatives like Poshan Abhiyan and Anemia Mukt Bharat have significantly enhanced access to healthcare facilities, leading to a substantial decrease in deprivation,” it added.
It continued: “Operating one of the world’s largest food security programs, the Targeted Public Distribution System under the National Food Security Act covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries, providing food grains to rural and urban populations. Recent decisions, such as extending free food grain distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for another five years, exemplify the government’s commitment.”
