India’s ranking in the Human Development Index (HDI) for 2019 was 131 among 189 countries, marking a drop of two places from the previous year. This is according to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2020, released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
About the Human Development Index (HDI)
The HDI emphasizes that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing a country’s development, rather than just economic growth. It assesses three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. In 2019, Norway topped the index, followed by Ireland and Switzerland. Hong Kong and Iceland completed the top five.
Performance of the Asian Region
In the global index, Singapore ranked 11th, Saudi Arabia 40th, and Malaysia 62nd, all falling into the “very high human development” category. Other Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam, were listed as having “high human development”. India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia, Kenya, and Pakistan were among the countries classified as having “medium human development”, with rankings between 120 and 156.
How India Performed
India’s overall HDI value for 2019 was 0.645, indicating medium human development and ranking it at 131 out of 189 countries. Between 1990 and 2019, the country’s HDI value increased by 50.3%. However, India’s life expectancy, education level, and standard of living, as well as its adjusted HDI for planetary pressures, were all found to be wanting compared to other countries.
New Indexes Introduced and Their Impact
The HDR 2020 introduced the Planetary Pressures-Adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI), which accounts for the impact of a country’s per capita carbon dioxide emissions and material footprint on its standard HDI. The report also included the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), the Gender Development Index (GDI), the Gender Inequality Index (GII), and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
How These New Indexes Affect Global Rankings
When adjusted for planetary pressures, some countries which top the standard HDI take significant falls in the rankings. Conversely, India moves up eight places. Other indexes, like the IHDI and GII, show that inequality and gender disparity still exist in the country’s development.
Other Discoveries of the Report
Major challenges faced by the world, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and rising inequalities, continue to deepen. Particularly for India, crises severely affect children and cause large-scale displacements. Factors like financial security, land ownership, and the education and empowerment of women can significantly improve these conditions.
