Topic no. 26 – India’s Rankings in Human Development and Gender Inequality
- March 15, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
Topic no. 26 – India’s Rankings in Human Development and Gender Inequality
Subject: IR
Section: Reports
Human Development Index (HDI):
- 2022 Ranking: India ranked 134 out of 193 countries.
- HDI Value: 0.644
- 2021 Ranking: India ranked 135 out of 191 countries.
- HDI Value: 0.633
Trend: India’s HDI value increased to 0.644 in 2022, showing an improvement compared to 2021. This places India in the medium human development category.
Progress:
- Life Expectancy: Increased from 67.2 to 67.7 years.
- Expected Years of Schooling: Reached 12.6 years.
- Mean Years of Schooling: Increased to 6.57 years.
- Gross National Income (GNI) per Capita: Increased from $6,542 to $6,951.
Overall Change (1990-2022):
- HDI Value Increase: 48.4%
- From 0.434 in 1990 to 0.644 in 2022.
Gender Inequality Index (GII):
- 2022 Ranking: India ranked 108 out of 193 countries.
- GII Score: 0.437
- 2021 Ranking: India ranked 122 out of 191 countries.
- GII Score: 0.490
Improvement: India showed significant progress in reducing gender inequality, jumping 14 ranks in the GII-2022 compared to GII-2021.
Gender Gaps:
- Labour Force Participation: 8% difference between women (28.3%) and men (76.1%).
Key Points:
- Human Development Progress:
- India has demonstrated improvements in all HDI indicators, including life expectancy, education, and GNI per capita.
- The country’s GNI per capita has seen substantial growth, increasing by approximately 287% since 1990.
- Life expectancy, expected years of schooling, and mean years of schooling have also shown positive trends.
- Gender Inequality Reduction:
- India’s GII value of 0.437 is better than the global and South Asian averages.
- The country has made strides in reducing gender inequality, as reflected in its improved GII ranking.
- However, there remains a significant gender gap in the labour force participation rate.
- Medium Human Development Category:
- With an HDI value of 0.644, India remains in the medium human development
- The country’s progress in various HDI indicators reflects a positive trend in overall development.
- Global and Regional Context:
- The report emphasizes that while some countries have seen record human development, half of the poorest nations remain below their pre-crisis levels of progress.
- India’s progress, especially in reducing gender inequality, is notable compared to global and South Asian averages.
India’s rankings in the HDI and GII highlight both progress and areas for further improvement in human development and gender equality.
Human Development Report (HDR)
The Human Development Report (HDR) is an annual publication released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1990.
The HDI is a composite index that measures the average achievements in human development across countries. It considers four key indicators:
- Life Expectancy at Birth: This indicator reflects the average number of years a newborn is expected to live, providing insights into the overall health and well-being of a population.
- Expected Years of Schooling: This indicator estimates the number of years of education a child entering school is expected to receive, providing insights into educational opportunities.
- Mean Years of Schooling: This indicator measures the average number of years of education received by adults aged 25 years and older, offering insights into the overall educational attainment of a population.
- Gross National Income (GNI) per Capita: This indicator reflects the average income of a country’s citizens, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). It provides insights into the economic well-being and standard of living.
By combining these indicators into a single index, the HDI offers a comprehensive snapshot of a country’s overall level of human development. Countries are ranked based on their HDI scores, allowing for comparisons and assessments of progress over time.
Theme in 2021-2022: “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a World in Transformation” – The Human Development Report 2021-22 focuses on the theme of uncertainty and change in a rapidly evolving world. It explores the impacts of global trends such as technological advancements, climate change, demographic shifts, and the COVID-19 pandemic on human development.
Theme in 2023 – UNDP Report “Breaking the Gridlock”: The data was published in the United Nations Development Programme’s report titled “Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World”. This report builds on the 2021–2022 Human Development Report findings, highlighting global trends and challenges in human development.
About Gender Inequality Index (GII)
The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a composite measure developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assess gender disparities in various aspects of life within countries. It provides a comprehensive overview of gender gaps in health, empowerment, and economic opportunities. The GII aims to highlight areas where women face relative disadvantages compared to men and where progress is needed to achieve gender equality.
Components of the Gender Inequality Index:
- Reproductive Health: This dimension measures maternal mortality rates and adolescent birth rates. High maternal mortality rates and early adolescent pregnancies are indicators of limited access to reproductive health services and education.
- Empowerment: The empowerment dimension includes two indicators:
- Proportion of parliamentary seats held by women: This reflects the representation of women in national parliaments, indicating their political participation and influence.
- Proportion of women aged 25 years and older with at least some secondary education: Education plays a crucial role in empowering women and expanding their opportunities.
- Labor Market Participation: This dimension considers the labor force participation rate for women aged 15 and older compared to men. A significant gap in labor force participation indicates disparities in economic opportunities and access to employment.
Interpretation of the Gender Inequality Index:
The GII is expressed as a value between 0 and 1, with higher values indicating greater gender inequality within a country.
- A GII value close to 0 indicates lower gender inequality, where women and men have more equal opportunities and outcomes.
- A GII value closer to 1 indicates higher gender inequality, where women face greater disparities compared to men in various aspects of life.