Why in the news? 

Recently, India’s progress in the global Human Development Index (HDI), as reported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Context-

• India’s ranking on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) improved by one position in 2022 to 134 out of 193 countries compared to 135 out of 191 countries in 2021. Switzerland has been ranked number one.

The Human Development Index (HDI)-

About 

The Human Development Index (HDI), initially introduced by the UNDP in 1990, is a statistical composite index. It measures a country’s average achievement across three fundamental dimensions:

• Health: This dimension is represented by life expectancy at birth. It reflects the overall health and well-being of the population and their access to healthcare services.
• Education: This dimension includes indicators such as expected years of schooling for children entering school and mean years of schooling for adults. It assesses the level of educational attainment and the availability of educational opportunities within a country.
• Standard of Living: This dimension is measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). It reflects the economic prosperity and living standards of the population, including income levels and access to basic necessities.

Background

• The Human Development Index (HDI) was developed by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq and Indian economist Amartya Sen. It is used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assess a country’s development as part of the Human Development Report.
• Alongside the Human Development Index (HDI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also presents the Human Development Report (HDR) which present-

1. Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI),
2. Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI),
3. Gender Inequality Index(GII) since 2010 and
4. Gender Development Index (GDI) since 2014

Key Points as per Report- 

• India’s Rank on the HDI: India moved up one rank on the Human Development Index (HDI) from 135 in 2021 to 134 in 2022, with slight improvements in life expectancy and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
• Comparison with Neighbors: India ranks below its southern neighbour Sri Lanka (ranked 78) and China (ranked 75) in the High Human Development category, and below Bhutan (ranked 125) and Bangladesh (ranked 129) in the Medium Human Development category.
• Reducing inequalities: The report highlights a reverse trend in reducing inequalities between wealthy and poor nations. Despite interconnected global societies, collective action on climate change, digitalization, poverty, and inequality is lacking, leading to a widening human development gap.
• Challenges in Democracy: While nine in 10 people worldwide endorse democracy, over half express support for leaders who may undermine it. Political polarization and limited control over government decisions are prevalent, leading to protectionist or inward-turning policy approaches.

Action Plans as per report-

• Multilateral Cooperation: Strengthen international cooperation and collaboration among governments, NGOs, businesses, and other stakeholders to address global challenges collectively. This could involve fostering dialogue, partnerships, and agreements that promote shared goals and responsibilities.
• Policy Coordination: Enhance coordination and coherence in policymaking at national and international levels to ensure that policies address interconnected challenges comprehensively. This may involve integrating diverse perspectives, aligning strategies across sectors, and leveraging resources efficiently.
• Investment in Sustainable Development: Increase investments in sustainable development initiatives that prioritize environmental conservation, social equity, and economic prosperity. This could include funding for renewable energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation programs.
• Empowering Communities: Empower local communities and grassroots organizations to participate in decision-making processes and contribute to problem-solving efforts. This could involve providing resources, capacity-building support, and platforms for civic engagement.
• Promotion of Dialogue and Understanding: Foster dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding among diverse communities to mitigate polarization and build social cohesion. This could involve promoting education, cultural exchange programs, media literacy, and initiatives that promote tolerance and respect for human rights.
• Transparency and Accountability: Enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance structures and institutions to rebuild trust and confidence among citizens. This could involve strengthening anti-corruption measures, promoting open government initiatives, and ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making processes.
• Investment in Education and Awareness: Invest in education, public awareness campaigns, and media literacy programs to increase awareness of global challenges, their interconnections, and the importance of collective action. This could help foster a sense of shared responsibility and mobilize public support for collaborative solutions.
• Promotion of Inclusive Economic Growth: Promote inclusive economic growth that benefits all segments of society, reduces inequality, and creates opportunities for marginalized populations. This could involve implementing policies that support job creation, entrepreneurship, social protection, and access to essential services.
• Resilience Building: Build resilience to global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and economic crises by investing in preparedness, adaptation, and mitigation strategies. This could involve strengthening healthcare systems, disaster risk reduction measures, and social safety nets.
• Advocacy and Leadership: Advocate for political leadership and commitment at all levels to prioritize collective action and address shared challenges effectively. This could involve mobilizing political will, engaging with policymakers, and holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Conclusion-

Strengthening multilateral cooperation, policy coordination, sustainable development investment, empowering communities, promoting dialogue, transparency, education, inclusive economic growth, resilience building, and advocating for leadership are vital for addressing global challenges collectively and fostering a sustainable future.

Mains PYQ-

 Q- Despite the consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.(UPSC IAS/2019)

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