India’s Human Development Index (HDI) value rebounded in 2022, rising from 0.633 to 0.644, placing the country in the medium human development category. Additionally, India has made progress in reducing gender inequality, with a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.437 in 2022, outperforming global and South Asian averages.
However, global HDI is unevenly progressing, with wealthier countries experiencing record levels of development while many poorer nations lag behind their pre-crisis levels. This inequality exacerbates social and political polarization globally, necessitating urgent collective action.
India’s HDI trends show significant improvement since 1990, with a 48.4% increase in HDI value. Despite progress, challenges remain, particularly regarding gender inequality in the labor force.
The report highlights a resurgence in global inequality, with the gap between rich and poor countries widening since 2020. This trend is compounded by economic concentration, with a significant portion of global trade and wealth held by a few countries and companies.
To address these challenges, the report proposes immediate action in four key areas: investing in planetary and digital public goods, creating new financial mechanisms for international cooperation, and reducing political polarization through inclusive governance approaches.
India is commended for its leadership in international cooperation, particularly in areas like vaccine diplomacy and digital infrastructure. The report introduces a trilogy of human development reports to delve deeper into issues such as polarization, digital futures, and navigating the Anthropocene.
Read and download the 2023-24 Human Development Report: https://www.undp.org/india/publications/human-development-report-2023-24-0
