ANI | As the poverty rates in the country declined below 5 per cent in 2024, a research study by the State Bank of India (SBI) also highlighted that the extreme poverty in the country has reduced to a minimal.
It said "At an aggregate level, we believe poverty rates in India could now be in the range of 4-4.5 per cent with almost minimal existence of extreme poverty"
The report also highlighted significant improvements in rural and urban poverty levels over the years, supported by data from the government's Consumption Expenditure Survey.
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According to the survey, rural poverty is estimated at 4.86 per cent in FY24, a sharp decline from 7.2 per cent in FY23 and 25.7 per cent in FY12. Similarly, urban poverty has dropped to 4.09 per cent in FY24, compared to 4.6 per cent in FY23 and 13.7 per cent in FY12.
Recently PM Narendra Modi also said that over 23 crore people have come out of poverty in the last ten years.
The poverty estimates may undergo minor revisions if the 2021 census is done and updated rural-urban population data is published. However, SBI Research believes that urban poverty levels could decline even further in the coming years.
It said "It is possible that these numbers could undergo minor revisions once the 2021 census is completed and new Rural Urban population share is published. We believe Urban poverty could decline even further".
The methodology for these estimates starts with the poverty line defined in 2011-12, adjusted for decadal inflation and an imputation factor derived from National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data. The new poverty line for 2023-24 stands at Rs 1,632 for rural areas and Rs 1,944 for urban areas.
Using this adjusted poverty line and fractile distribution data, the proportion of poverty in rural areas is calculated at 4.86 per cent and in urban areas at 4.09 per cent for FY24.
The report attributed the decline in rural poverty to higher consumption growth among the bottom 5 per cent of the population, leading to a shift in the poverty line.
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In FY23, the poverty line fell within the 5-10 per cent decile, but by FY24, it had shifted to the 0-5 per cent decile, indicating better economic conditions for the poorest segments of the population.
This sharp reduction in poverty levels shows the country's progress in improving living standards and addressing inequality. With continued economic growth and targeted policies, the country appears poised to achieve even greater reductions in poverty, particularly in urban areas.&nbsp;
<div class="post-content">
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.
</div>

According to the survey, rural poverty is estimated at 4.86 per cent in FY24, a sharp decline from 7.2 per cent in FY23 and 25.7 per cent in FY12.

ANI | As the poverty rates in the country declined below 5 per cent in 2024, a research study by the State Bank of India (SBI) also highlighted that the extreme poverty in the country has reduced to a minimal. It said "At an aggregate level, we believe poverty rates in India could now be in the range of 4-4.5 per cent with almost minimal existence of extreme poverty" The report also highlighted significant improvements in rural and urban poverty levels over the years, supported by data from the government's Consumption Expenditure Survey. Also read | Bhopal gas tragedy’s waste disposal: Two men set themselves on fire amid protests According to the survey, rural poverty is estimated at 4.86 per cent in FY24, a sharp decline from 7.2 per cent in FY23 and 25.7 per cent in FY12. Similarly, urban poverty has dropped to 4.09 per cent in FY24, compared to 4.6 per cent in FY23 and 13.7 per cent in FY12. Recently PM Narendra Modi also said that over 23 crore people have come out of poverty in the last ten years. The poverty estimates may undergo minor revisions if the 2021 census is done and updated rural-urban population data is published. However, SBI Research believes that urban poverty levels could decline even further in the coming years. It said "It is possible that these numbers could undergo minor revisions once the 2021 census is completed and new Rural Urban population share is published. We believe Urban poverty could decline even further". The methodology for these estimates starts with the poverty line defined in 2011-12, adjusted for decadal inflation and an imputation factor derived from National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data. The new poverty line for 2023-24 stands at Rs 1,632 for rural areas and Rs 1,944 for urban areas. Using this adjusted poverty line and fractile distribution data, the proportion of poverty in rural areas is calculated at 4.86 per cent and in urban areas at 4.09 per cent for FY24. The report attributed the decline in rural poverty to higher consumption growth among the bottom 5 per cent of the population, leading to a shift in the poverty line. Also read | India reacts to China creating 'so-called counties', says lodged a 'solemn protest' with Chinese side In FY23, the poverty line fell within the 5-10 per cent decile, but by FY24, it had shifted to the 0-5 per cent decile, indicating better economic conditions for the poorest segments of the population. This sharp reduction in poverty levels shows the country's progress in improving living standards and addressing inequality. With continued economic growth and targeted policies, the country appears poised to achieve even greater reductions in poverty, particularly in urban areas. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

SBI study finds extreme poverty reduced to minimal in India

India has successfully eradicated extreme poverty, indicates&nbsp;a commentary penned by economists Surjit Bhalla and Karan Bhasin in The Brookings Institution, a prominent American think-tank.

The assertion is based on the recently disclosed consumption expenditure data for the year 2022-23, revealing a notable annual growth of 2.9 per cent in real per capita consumption since 2011-12.

Notably, rural areas experienced a significantly higher growth rate of 3.1 per cent compared to urban areas at 2.6 per cent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/latest-nsso-consumer-survey-indicates-poverty-down-to-5-in-india-niti-aayog-ceo-693922" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/latest-nsso-consumer-survey-indicates-poverty-down-to-5-in-india-niti-aayog-ceo-693922&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjK7oTqltaEAxXzmFYBHS3sChgQFnoECAYQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_ivMtzEj7o8Mo7Ybp08qs" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/latest-nsso-consumer-survey-indicates-poverty-down-to-5-in-india-niti-aayog-ceo-693922" target="_blank">Latest NSSO consumer survey indicates&nbsp;poverty&nbsp;down to 5% in&nbsp;India</a>

The commentary highlights an unprecedented decline in both urban and rural inequality, with the Gini coefficient reflecting substantial reductions – from 36.7 to 31.9 in urban areas and from 28.7 to 27.0 in rural areas. The Gini coefficient measures income distribution inequality, with a higher value indicating greater disparity.

The economists assert that the combination of robust economic growth and substantial reduction in inequality has effectively eliminated poverty in India.

This conclusion is supported by the decline in the Headcount Poverty Ratio (HCR), which dropped from 12.2 per cent in 2011-12 to 2 per cent in 2022-23, equivalent to an annual decrease of 0.93 percentage points.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-budget-2024-250-million-people-came-out-of-poverty-in-the-last-10-years-fm-sitharaman-685845" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-budget-2024-250-million-people-came-out-of-poverty-in-the-last-10-years-fm-sitharaman-685845&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjK7oTqltaEAxXzmFYBHS3sChgQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1K-x1L6ljknRIKja0qJ4T_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-budget-2024-250-million-people-came-out-of-poverty-in-the-last-10-years-fm-sitharaman-685845" target="_blank">India&nbsp;Budget 2024 | 250 million people came out of&nbsp;poverty</a>

Rural poverty now stands at 2.5 per cent, while urban poverty has diminished to 1 per cent.

The commentary acknowledges that these estimates do not consider government-supplied free food (wheat and rice) to approximately two-thirds of the population, along with the utilisation of public health and education services.&nbsp;

The authors underline the remarkable pace of poverty reduction, noting that a similar decline in the past took 30 years, whereas the current achievement occurred over just 11 years.

With extreme poverty nearly eradicated, the economists propose that India should now reassess its poverty line, providing an opportunity to redefine social protection programmes.&nbsp;

They argue for a higher poverty line to better identify intended beneficiaries and offer increased support to those genuinely in need.&nbsp;

The commentary concludes by affirming that official data confirms India's elimination of extreme poverty, a significant milestone with positive implications for global poverty rates.

(With inputs from agencies)

India has successfully eradicated extreme poverty, indicates a commentary penned by economists Surjit Bhalla and Karan Bhasin in The Brookings Institution, a prominent American think-tank.

India has successfully eradicated extreme poverty, indicates a commentary penned by economists Surjit Bhalla and Karan Bhasin in The Brookings Institution, a prominent American think-tank. The assertion is based on the recently disclosed consumption expenditure data for the year 2022-23, revealing a notable annual growth of 2.9 per cent in real per capita consumption since 2011-12. Notably, rural areas experienced a significantly higher growth rate of 3.1 per cent compared to urban areas at 2.6 per cent. Also read: Latest NSSO consumer survey indicates poverty down to 5% in India The commentary highlights an unprecedented decline in both urban and rural inequality, with the Gini coefficient reflecting substantial reductions – from 36.7 to 31.9 in urban areas and from 28.7 to 27.0 in rural areas. The Gini coefficient measures income distribution inequality, with a higher value indicating greater disparity. The economists assert that the combination of robust economic growth and substantial reduction in inequality has effectively eliminated poverty in India. This conclusion is supported by the decline in the Headcount Poverty Ratio (HCR), which dropped from 12.2 per cent in 2011-12 to 2 per cent in 2022-23, equivalent to an annual decrease of 0.93 percentage points. Also read: India Budget 2024 | 250 million people came out of poverty Rural poverty now stands at 2.5 per cent, while urban poverty has diminished to 1 per cent. The commentary acknowledges that these estimates do not consider government-supplied free food (wheat and rice) to approximately two-thirds of the population, along with the utilisation of public health and education services. The authors underline the remarkable pace of poverty reduction, noting that a similar decline in the past took 30 years, whereas the current achievement occurred over just 11 years. With extreme poverty nearly eradicated, the economists propose that India should now reassess its poverty line, providing an opportunity to redefine social protection programmes. They argue for a higher poverty line to better identify intended beneficiaries and offer increased support to those genuinely in need. The commentary concludes by affirming that official data confirms India's elimination of extreme poverty, a significant milestone with positive implications for global poverty rates. (With inputs from agencies)

Extreme poverty has been eradicated in India, says report

Think tank of the government of India Niti Ayog has released a report on the multi-dimensional poverty index. This report suggests that in the span of five years 135 million Indians have exited the multi-dimensional poverty.

135 million people moved out of poverty in 5 years

India has made remarkable progress in its fight against multidimensional poverty, according to the latest report released by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). The report, titled 'National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023', reveals that an unprecedented 13.5 crore people moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21. This achievement places India well ahead of its 2030 target for reducing poverty under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The NITI Aayog's second edition of the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is based on data from the latest National Family Health Survey [NFHS-5 (2019-21)], comparing progress between the surveys NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21). The MPI measures deprivations across three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and standard of living, represented by 12 indicators aligned with the SDGs.

Notably, India has witnessed a significant decline of 9.89 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor individuals, reducing from 24.85 per cent in 2015-16 to 14.96 per cent in 2019-21. The rural areas have shown the fastest decline, with poverty decreasing from 32.59 per cent to 19.28 per cent, while urban areas experienced a reduction from 8.65 per cent to 5.27 per cent. Uttar Pradesh, in particular, stands out, with 3.43 crore people successfully escaping multidimensional poverty during this period. States like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan also demonstrated substantial progress in reducing poverty rates.

Scaling India's SDG 'Summit'

The report highlights that the MPI value has nearly halved from 0.117 to 0.066 between 2015-16 and 2019-21, and the intensity of poverty has declined from 47 per cent to 44 per cent, signaling India's significant progress towards achieving SDG Target 1.2 well before the 2030 deadline.

The success in combating multidimensional poverty can be attributed to the government's strategic focus on ensuring sustainable and equitable development while eradicating poverty. Various flagship programs have played a crucial role in this achievement. Initiatives such as the Poshan Abhiyan and Anaemia Mukt Bharat have contributed to improved health indicators. At the same time, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have resulted in enhanced sanitation and access to clean drinking water.

Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides subsidized cooking fuel, has transformed lives with a 14.6 percentage point improvement in cooking fuel deprivations. The Saubhagya, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), and Samagra Shiksha programs have also played instrumental roles in reducing multidimensional poverty across the country.

The NITI Aayog report offers multidimensional poverty estimates for the 36 States and Union Territories and 707 Administrative Districts, providing valuable insights for targeted interventions in regions with higher poverty rates.

The progress achieved in extremely low deprivation rates, especially in access to electricity, bank accounts, and drinking water, reflects the government's unwavering commitment to improving citizens' lives and fostering a brighter future for all.

India has made remarkable progress in its fight against multidimensional poverty, according to the latest report released by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).

India has made remarkable progress in its fight against multidimensional poverty, according to the latest report released by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). The report, titled 'National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023', reveals that an unprecedented 13.5 crore people moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21. This achievement places India well ahead of its 2030 target for reducing poverty under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NITI Aayog's second edition of the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is based on data from the latest National Family Health Survey [NFHS-5 (2019-21)], comparing progress between the surveys NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21). The MPI measures deprivations across three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and standard of living, represented by 12 indicators aligned with the SDGs. Notably, India has witnessed a significant decline of 9.89 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor individuals, reducing from 24.85 per cent in 2015-16 to 14.96 per cent in 2019-21. The rural areas have shown the fastest decline, with poverty decreasing from 32.59 per cent to 19.28 per cent, while urban areas experienced a reduction from 8.65 per cent to 5.27 per cent. Uttar Pradesh, in particular, stands out, with 3.43 crore people successfully escaping multidimensional poverty during this period. States like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan also demonstrated substantial progress in reducing poverty rates. Scaling India's SDG 'Summit' The report highlights that the MPI value has nearly halved from 0.117 to 0.066 between 2015-16 and 2019-21, and the intensity of poverty has declined from 47 per cent to 44 per cent, signaling India's significant progress towards achieving SDG Target 1.2 well before the 2030 deadline. The success in combating multidimensional poverty can be attributed to the government's strategic focus on ensuring sustainable and equitable development while eradicating poverty. Various flagship programs have played a crucial role in this achievement. Initiatives such as the Poshan Abhiyan and Anaemia Mukt Bharat have contributed to improved health indicators. At the same time, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have resulted in enhanced sanitation and access to clean drinking water. Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides subsidized cooking fuel, has transformed lives with a 14.6 percentage point improvement in cooking fuel deprivations. The Saubhagya, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), and Samagra Shiksha programs have also played instrumental roles in reducing multidimensional poverty across the country. The NITI Aayog report offers multidimensional poverty estimates for the 36 States and Union Territories and 707 Administrative Districts, providing valuable insights for targeted interventions in regions with higher poverty rates. The progress achieved in extremely low deprivation rates, especially in access to electricity, bank accounts, and drinking water, reflects the government's unwavering commitment to improving citizens' lives and fostering a brighter future for all.

Mission Possible: India's multidimensional poverty plummets ahead of schedule

India's fight against poverty: According to a report by a government body, over 135 million Indians came out of multi-dimensional poverty between 2016 and 2021.

Big drop in India's poverty figures; improvement in health, education & standard of living

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides free foodgrains to poor people, played a key role in keeping extreme poverty in India at the lowest level of 0.8 per cent during the pandemic-hit 2020, according to a working paper of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The working paper titled 'Pandemic, Poverty, and Inequality: Evidence from India' presents estimates of poverty and consumption inequality in India for each of the years 2004-5 through the pandemic year 2020-21.

"Extreme poverty was as low as 0.8 per cent in the pre-pandemic year 2019, and food transfers were instrumental in ensuring that it remained at that low level in the pandemic year 2020," it said.

Under PMGKAY, which was launched in March 2020, the central government provides 5 kilograms of foodgrains per month for free. The additional free grain is over and above the normal quota provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 2-3 per kilogram. PMGKAY has been extended till September 2022.

The working paper, prepared by Surjit S Bhalla, Karan Bhasin and Arvind Virmani, said that in the pandemic year 2020-21, extreme poverty was at its lowest level ever at 0.8 per cent of the population.

"Further, as early as 2016-17, extreme poverty had reached a low 2 per cent level. According to the more appropriate but 68 per cent higher Low Middle Income (LMI) poverty line of PPP (purchasing power parity) USD 3.2 a day, poverty in India registered 14.8 per cent in the pre-pandemic year 2019-20.

"This achievement is put in perspective by noting that in 2011-12, the official poverty level for the lower PPP USD 1.9 line was 12.2 per cent," it noted.

The working paper also said that for the first time in several decades, extreme poverty -- those falling below the USD 1.9 per person per day in terms of purchasing power parity -- in the world increased in the pandemic year 2020.

As per the working paper, the pandemic support measures instituted by the government were critical in preventing any increase in the prevalence of extreme poverty and that food subsidies have reduced poverty on a consistent basis since the enactment of the FSA in 2013 and the co-incidental increase in the efficiency of targeting via Aadhaar.

Further, it said the effect of the subsidy adjustments on poverty is striking.

"Real inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, has declined to near its lowest level reached in the last forty years - it was 0.284 in 1993-94 and in 2020-21 it reached 0.292.

"Possibly the more surprising result from the incorporation of food subsidies into the calculation of poverty is that extreme poverty has stayed below (or equal to) 1 per cent for the last three years," it said.

Post-food subsidy inequality at 0.294 is now very close to its lowest level of 0.284 observed in 1993-94, the working paper said, adding that in 2020, for the first time since the inception of the PDS system, the government was supplying, in full, the basic food ration needed to the bottom two-thirds of the population.

The food support (rations) was increased during the pandemic - the food grain ration was doubled for each recipient from 5 kg of wheat (or rice) per month to 10 kilograms in 2020, it added.

The author of the paper noted that an important implication of their results is that extreme poverty has been virtually eliminated, and both the government of India and the World Bank should formally switch to the LMI country poverty line of USD 3.2 PPP.

They also observed that the social safety net provided by the expansion of India's food subsidy programme absorbed a major part of the pandemic shock.&nbsp;

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides free foodgrains to poor people, played a key role in keeping extreme poverty in India at the lowest level of 0.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides free foodgrains to poor people, played a key role in keeping extreme poverty in India at the lowest level of 0.8 per cent during the pandemic-hit 2020, according to a working paper of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The working paper titled 'Pandemic, Poverty, and Inequality: Evidence from India' presents estimates of poverty and consumption inequality in India for each of the years 2004-5 through the pandemic year 2020-21. "Extreme poverty was as low as 0.8 per cent in the pre-pandemic year 2019, and food transfers were instrumental in ensuring that it remained at that low level in the pandemic year 2020," it said. Under PMGKAY, which was launched in March 2020, the central government provides 5 kilograms of foodgrains per month for free. The additional free grain is over and above the normal quota provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 2-3 per kilogram. PMGKAY has been extended till September 2022. The working paper, prepared by Surjit S Bhalla, Karan Bhasin and Arvind Virmani, said that in the pandemic year 2020-21, extreme poverty was at its lowest level ever at 0.8 per cent of the population. "Further, as early as 2016-17, extreme poverty had reached a low 2 per cent level. According to the more appropriate but 68 per cent higher Low Middle Income (LMI) poverty line of PPP (purchasing power parity) USD 3.2 a day, poverty in India registered 14.8 per cent in the pre-pandemic year 2019-20. "This achievement is put in perspective by noting that in 2011-12, the official poverty level for the lower PPP USD 1.9 line was 12.2 per cent," it noted. The working paper also said that for the first time in several decades, extreme poverty -- those falling below the USD 1.9 per person per day in terms of purchasing power parity -- in the world increased in the pandemic year 2020. As per the working paper, the pandemic support measures instituted by the government were critical in preventing any increase in the prevalence of extreme poverty and that food subsidies have reduced poverty on a consistent basis since the enactment of the FSA in 2013 and the co-incidental increase in the efficiency of targeting via Aadhaar. Further, it said the effect of the subsidy adjustments on poverty is striking. "Real inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, has declined to near its lowest level reached in the last forty years - it was 0.284 in 1993-94 and in 2020-21 it reached 0.292. "Possibly the more surprising result from the incorporation of food subsidies into the calculation of poverty is that extreme poverty has stayed below (or equal to) 1 per cent for the last three years," it said. Post-food subsidy inequality at 0.294 is now very close to its lowest level of 0.284 observed in 1993-94, the working paper said, adding that in 2020, for the first time since the inception of the PDS system, the government was supplying, in full, the basic food ration needed to the bottom two-thirds of the population. The food support (rations) was increased during the pandemic - the food grain ration was doubled for each recipient from 5 kg of wheat (or rice) per month to 10 kilograms in 2020, it added. The author of the paper noted that an important implication of their results is that extreme poverty has been virtually eliminated, and both the government of India and the World Bank should formally switch to the LMI country poverty line of USD 3.2 PPP. They also observed that the social safety net provided by the expansion of India's food subsidy programme absorbed a major part of the pandemic shock.

India's food subsidy programme kept extreme poverty low in pandemic-hit 2020: IMF working paper

Overpopulation continues to be a pressing issue globally. As per experts, the global population grows by more than 80 million people every year. Today, there are over 7.8 billion people living and the population is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050.

The impact of our growing numbers on environment, and non-renewable resources has multiplied to unsustainable levels. These consumption patterns can soon surpass our planets carrying capacity and ability to regenerate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-environment-school-is-geared-toward-shaping-a-future-generation-for-a-green-planet-369320" hreflang="en">World Environment School is geared toward shaping a future generation for a green planet</a>

Many account for overpopulation as an effect of high birth rates, along with low mortality rates due to advancements in medical fields leading to longer life spans. And the most pressing cause of all is the lack of education and awareness among females.

With this unsustainable development, where are we headed? Will we ever be able to stabilise our population?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mission-sustainability-population-vs-planet-global-electricity-demand-is-growing-faster-than-renewables-400805/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Overpopulation in India

India, with a current population of more than 1.39 billion, is projected to surpass China and be the most populous nation as early as 2027.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tackling-climate-change-new-centre-in-india-will-impart-training-on-circular-economy-369323" hreflang="en">Tackling climate change: New centre in India will impart training on circular economy</a>

Poverty and illiteracy have been the two major drivers of overpopulation in India.

Poor families tend to overlook education as a key to improved living standards and instead believe that the greater family members they have, the greater their chances to earn a livelihood.

Another issue adding to the overpopulation issue is the early marriage of girls, which is still prevailing in many parts of the country leading to girls having longer reproductive span and bearing more children.

Women's education and&nbsp;empowerment in India<o:p></o:p>

For any society to develop, women need to play a central role. Their voices and participation are crucial to overcome patriarchal mindsets.

Without education, women will have fewer opportunities. Poverty, unemployment and inequality are problems that cannot be solved by men alone and require women's participation.

When it comes to women's empowerment, the men's participation is also important, as they also need to be aware of decisions that their family will take.

The problems and inequalities between the genders are much greater in rural India. Ten years ago, the literacy rate for women in rural areas was only 58.8 per cent, while the national average was 65.46 per cent. Whereas the national average for men was over 82 per cent.

For Indian families in rural areas, girls play the role of a second mother by doing household work. This can discourage them from going to school.

This is where schemes like the Aakar project can be helpful for women.

<o:p></o:p>

Education – Powerful tool stemming population growth<o:p></o:p>

Education is one of the most powerful tools. Currently, nearly 40 per cent&nbsp;of pregnancies worldwide are unintended, which leads to a staggering 80 million births per year.

An increased focus on education around family planning, birth control, and improved access to contraceptives can help in population stabilisation.

<o:p></o:p>

Overpopulation and poverty

Poor people are often unable to afford or access education, depriving them of reaching prosperity for generations.

This is where the governments have to step in and make sure that everyone is provided education.

With an added emphasis on women’s education, we can reach higher levels of development and prosperity more effectively.

Ground Interventions in rural communities with High TFR districts like Project Aakar’s engagement and&nbsp;counselling drives and government population policy 2021-2030 are of high importance for sustainable development in the country.

The special emphasis on youth empowerment and education on family planning can go a long way in creating a viable and sustainable future for all.

Overpopulation continues to be a pressing issue globally. As per experts, the global population grows by more than 80 million people every year. Today, there are over 7.

Overpopulation continues to be a pressing issue globally. As per experts, the global population grows by more than 80 million people every year. Today, there are over 7.8 billion people living and the population is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. The impact of our growing numbers on environment, and non-renewable resources has multiplied to unsustainable levels. These consumption patterns can soon surpass our planets carrying capacity and ability to regenerate. Also read | World Environment School is geared toward shaping a future generation for a green planet Many account for overpopulation as an effect of high birth rates, along with low mortality rates due to advancements in medical fields leading to longer life spans. And the most pressing cause of all is the lack of education and awareness among females. With this unsustainable development, where are we headed? Will we ever be able to stabilise our population? Overpopulation in India India, with a current population of more than 1.39 billion, is projected to surpass China and be the most populous nation as early as 2027. Also read | Tackling climate change: New centre in India will impart training on circular economy Poverty and illiteracy have been the two major drivers of overpopulation in India. Poor families tend to overlook education as a key to improved living standards and instead believe that the greater family members they have, the greater their chances to earn a livelihood. Another issue adding to the overpopulation issue is the early marriage of girls, which is still prevailing in many parts of the country leading to girls having longer reproductive span and bearing more children. Women's education and empowerment in India For any society to develop, women need to play a central role. Their voices and participation are crucial to overcome patriarchal mindsets. Without education, women will have fewer opportunities. Poverty, unemployment and inequality are problems that cannot be solved by men alone and require women's participation. When it comes to women's empowerment, the men's participation is also important, as they also need to be aware of decisions that their family will take. The problems and inequalities between the genders are much greater in rural India. Ten years ago, the literacy rate for women in rural areas was only 58.8 per cent, while the national average was 65.46 per cent. Whereas the national average for men was over 82 per cent. For Indian families in rural areas, girls play the role of a second mother by doing household work. This can discourage them from going to school. This is where schemes like the Aakar project can be helpful for women. Education – Powerful tool stemming population growth Education is one of the most powerful tools. Currently, nearly 40 per cent of pregnancies worldwide are unintended, which leads to a staggering 80 million births per year. An increased focus on education around family planning, birth control, and improved access to contraceptives can help in population stabilisation. Overpopulation and poverty Poor people are often unable to afford or access education, depriving them of reaching prosperity for generations. This is where the governments have to step in and make sure that everyone is provided education. With an added emphasis on women’s education, we can reach higher levels of development and prosperity more effectively. Ground Interventions in rural communities with High TFR districts like Project Aakar’s engagement and counselling drives and government population policy 2021-2030 are of high importance for sustainable development in the country. The special emphasis on youth empowerment and education on family planning can go a long way in creating a viable and sustainable future for all.

Why education and empowerment are significant to population stabilisation?

India, in the last decade, has lifted 271 million people out of poverty, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The report was based on the multidimensional poverty index, which saw India recording the fastest reduction, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said.

More than 21 per cent of India's 1.3 billion people lived on less than $1.90 a day in 2011, when the last census was taken, according to the World Bank.

But this time, the UN studied 101 countries and said 1.3 billion people are "multidimensionally poor", which means that poverty is defined not simply by income, but by a number of indicators, including poor health, poor quality of work and the threat of violence.

Of these 101 countries, the reduction of poverty was fastest in 10, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam, the report said.

"In India, there were 271 million fewer people in poverty in 2016 than in 2006, while in Bangladesh the number dropped by 19 million between 2004 and 2014," it said.

India reduced deprivation in nutrition from 44.3 per cent in 2005-06 to 21.2 per cent in 2015-16, child mortality dropped from 4.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent, people deprived of cooking fuel reduced from 52.9 per cent to 26.2 per cent, deprivation in sanitation from 50.4 per cent to 24.6 per cent, those deprived of drinking water reduced from 16.6 per cent to 6.2 per cent.

Further, more people gained access to electricity as deprivation was reduced from 29.1 per cent to 8.6 per cent, housing from 44.9 per cent to 23.6 per cent and assets deprivation from 37.6 per cent to 9.5 per cent. The trends in these 10 countries also shine a light on where poverty reduction has been uneven, despite the good progress overall, it said.

The Indian government had said in April this year that fast economic growth and rapid urbanisation would slash the number of people in extreme poverty by 2021 and end it completely in the decade after that.

Economic growth in recent years had generated enough revenue for states to work more on poverty alleviation, job creation and improving healthcare and education, the then finance minister Arun Jaitley had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India, in the last decade, has lifted 271 million people out of poverty, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The report was based on the multidimensional poverty index, which saw India recording the fastest reduction, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said.

India, in the last decade, has lifted 271 million people out of poverty, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The report was based on the multidimensional poverty index, which saw India recording the fastest reduction, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said. More than 21 per cent of India's 1.3 billion people lived on less than $1.90 a day in 2011, when the last census was taken, according to the World Bank. But this time, the UN studied 101 countries and said 1.3 billion people are "multidimensionally poor", which means that poverty is defined not simply by income, but by a number of indicators, including poor health, poor quality of work and the threat of violence. Of these 101 countries, the reduction of poverty was fastest in 10, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam, the report said. "In India, there were 271 million fewer people in poverty in 2016 than in 2006, while in Bangladesh the number dropped by 19 million between 2004 and 2014," it said. India reduced deprivation in nutrition from 44.3 per cent in 2005-06 to 21.2 per cent in 2015-16, child mortality dropped from 4.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent, people deprived of cooking fuel reduced from 52.9 per cent to 26.2 per cent, deprivation in sanitation from 50.4 per cent to 24.6 per cent, those deprived of drinking water reduced from 16.6 per cent to 6.2 per cent. Further, more people gained access to electricity as deprivation was reduced from 29.1 per cent to 8.6 per cent, housing from 44.9 per cent to 23.6 per cent and assets deprivation from 37.6 per cent to 9.5 per cent. The trends in these 10 countries also shine a light on where poverty reduction has been uneven, despite the good progress overall, it said. The Indian government had said in April this year that fast economic growth and rapid urbanisation would slash the number of people in extreme poverty by 2021 and end it completely in the decade after that. Economic growth in recent years had generated enough revenue for states to work more on poverty alleviation, job creation and improving healthcare and education, the then finance minister Arun Jaitley had said. (With inputs from agencies)

India lifted 271 million people out of poverty between 2006 and 2016, says United Nations report

Handing&nbsp;cash&nbsp;to Indians rather than providing the poor with cheap food or guaranteed jobs would nearly eradicate poverty but at a cost of 4 to 5 per cent of gross domestic product, a government report said on Tuesday.

Universal basic income (UBI), a radical idea that is gaining attention in countries such as Finland and France, proposes giving every citizen an income to cover their basic needs.

Several economists advocate&nbsp;cash&nbsp;transfers in Asia&#39;s third-largest economy, where despite rapid economic growth one in three of the world&#39;s extreme poor reside. An emergency medical payment or bad harvest risks a return to poverty for millions more.

The annual Economic Survey, which forms the basis of the annual Indian budget Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present on Wednesday, said UBI was a persuasive alternative for replacing existing welfare programmes. Yet it warned about implementation risks and the potential cost to government.

&quot;The key merit of it is that it has the potential to improve the weak targeting of current schemes,&quot; Arvind Subramanian, the ministry&#39;s chief economic adviser, told a news briefing.

Under the survey&#39;s calculation, a UBI that cuts the poverty rate to 0.5 per cent of the population would cost 4 to 5 per cent of GDP. The calculation presumes that the richest quarter of Indians do not get the income, because it says any programme cannot in practive strive for strict universality.

&nbsp;At 2011/12 prices, the basic income would amount to 5,400 rupees ($79.59) per person per year. Some economists have questioned whether payments of that size could eliminate poverty.&nbsp;

Tackling entrenched poverty has preoccupied policymakers since India ended colonial rule in 1947, and in the survey Subramanian said he drew on the wisdom of independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in weighing the social justice of a basic income.

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The economic survey tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has advocated reforms to unleash economic dynamism and social justice. Here&#39;s more to this story. (WION)
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Heavy subsidies

India currently spends 3 per cent of GDP on subsidies, much of them for the middle class. It pays billions of dollars for some of the world&#39;s largest welfare schemes, including cheap food for more than 800 million people and jobs for 50 million households.

&quot;Our main fear is that Universal Basic Income is just being used to replace existing social schemes,&quot; said Reetika Khera, an economist at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. &quot;This is a system that is tried and tested and showing signs of improvement.&quot;

The survey cautioned that it was not yet advocating introduction of UBI.

A basic income risked becoming too costly, and India would need to improve identification schemes to ensure transfers reached beneficiaries, it said.

Critics of India&#39;s existing programmes say they are undermined by corruption and leakages.

Subramanian cited research showing schemes reached more people in the areas where they were least needed, because of the weak capacity of the state in less developed ones.

&quot;The advantage of UBI is that we can get around this,&quot; he said.

Many economists expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party to cut back on populist welfare schemes expanded under his predecessor. So far he has shown little willingness to embrace bolder structural reforms.

(Reuters)

The Indian government would have to spend 4 to 5% of its GDP to diminish poverty levels in the country, the annual report said

Handing cash to Indians rather than providing the poor with cheap food or guaranteed jobs would nearly eradicate poverty but at a cost of 4 to 5 per cent of gross domestic product, a government report said on Tuesday. Universal basic income (UBI), a radical idea that is gaining attention in countries such as Finland and France, proposes giving every citizen an income to cover their basic needs. Several economists advocate cash transfers in Asia's third-largest economy, where despite rapid economic growth one in three of the world's extreme poor reside. An emergency medical payment or bad harvest risks a return to poverty for millions more. The annual Economic Survey, which forms the basis of the annual Indian budget Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present on Wednesday, said UBI was a persuasive alternative for replacing existing welfare programmes. Yet it warned about implementation risks and the potential cost to government. "The key merit of it is that it has the potential to improve the weak targeting of current schemes," Arvind Subramanian, the ministry's chief economic adviser, told a news briefing. Under the survey's calculation, a UBI that cuts the poverty rate to 0.5 per cent of the population would cost 4 to 5 per cent of GDP. The calculation presumes that the richest quarter of Indians do not get the income, because it says any programme cannot in practive strive for strict universality. At 2011/12 prices, the basic income would amount to 5,400 rupees ($79.59) per person per year. Some economists have questioned whether payments of that size could eliminate poverty. Tackling entrenched poverty has preoccupied policymakers since India ended colonial rule in 1947, and in the survey Subramanian said he drew on the wisdom of independence hero Mahatma Gandhi in weighing the social justice of a basic income. The economic survey tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has advocated reforms to unleash economic dynamism and social justice. Here's more to this story. (WION) × Heavy subsidies India currently spends 3 per cent of GDP on subsidies, much of them for the middle class. It pays billions of dollars for some of the world's largest welfare schemes, including cheap food for more than 800 million people and jobs for 50 million households. "Our main fear is that Universal Basic Income is just being used to replace existing social schemes," said Reetika Khera, an economist at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. "This is a system that is tried and tested and showing signs of improvement." The survey cautioned that it was not yet advocating introduction of UBI. A basic income risked becoming too costly, and India would need to improve identification schemes to ensure transfers reached beneficiaries, it said. Critics of India's existing programmes say they are undermined by corruption and leakages. Subramanian cited research showing schemes reached more people in the areas where they were least needed, because of the weak capacity of the state in less developed ones. "The advantage of UBI is that we can get around this," he said. Many economists expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party to cut back on populist welfare schemes expanded under his predecessor. So far he has shown little willingness to embrace bolder structural reforms. (Reuters)

Cash handouts, not food or jobs, panacea for poverty: Economic Survey

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