Multidimensional Poverty Index

Context: The latest update of the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

• Released by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
• First launched: In 2010.
• It measures acute multidimensional poverty across more than 100 developing countries.

Findings of MPI about the World 

• Countries showing progress: 25 countries successfully halved their global MPI values within 15 years, showing that rapid progress is attainable. These countries include Cambodia, China, Congo, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Serbia and Vietnam.
• A long way to go-1.1 billion out of 6.1 billion people around more than 18% live in acute multidimensional poverty across 110 countries.

Findings about India

• Reduction in total number of poor: 
  1. Reduction in absolute numbers-In 2005­-06, about 645 million people were in multidimensional poverty in India, with this number declining to about 370 million in 2015-­16 and 230 million in 2019­-21.
  2. Comprehensive reduction-Deprivation in all indicators declined in India
  3. The poorest States and groups, including children and people in disadvantaged caste groups, had the fastest absolute progress.

Progress in 2019-21 as compared to 2005-06

Indicators	Status in 2005-06	Status in 2019-21
Deprivation of Nutrition	44.3%	11.8%
Child mortality	4.5%	1.5%
Deprivation of Cooking fuel	52.9%	13.9%
Deprivation of sanitation	50.4%	11.3%
Drinking water indicator	16.4%	2.7%
Deprivation of electricity	29%	2.1%
Deprivation of housing	44.9%	13.6%

 News Source: The Hindu