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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Child deaths down, vaccinations up-but India's health fight isn't over
India has made notable progress in achieving health targets under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. From lowering maternal and child mortality to improving immunisation and disease control, key health indicators suggest that the country is on track in several areas. What the UN Human Development Report says about India's health progress According to the UNDP Human Development Report 2025, India's Human Development Index (HDI) has increased by over 53 per cent since 1990—outpacing both global and South Asian averages. This has been driven by robust economic growth and welfare schemes like the National Rural Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat. Life expectancy has climbed to 72 years in 2023, the highest since the index began. 'India's life expectancy reaching its highest level is a testament to the country's recovery from the pandemic and its investments in human development,' said Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India. SDG 3 score rises sharply, says NITI Aayog India's SDG 3 score rose from 52 in 2018 to 77 in 2023, as per the NITI Aayog SDG Index. Multiple states are now classified as 'front-runners' in health outcomes: Maternal mortality dropped to 97 per 100,000 live births. Eight states, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have met the 2030 target of 70. Under-5 mortality fell to 32 per 1,000 live births. Kerala leads with just 8 deaths. Child immunisation (age 9–11 months) reached 93.23%, with several states surpassing 100%. HIV incidence remained at 0.05 per 1,000 uninfected individuals; Kerala reported 0.01. Tuberculosis case notification hit 87.13 per cent; Gujarat and UTs like Delhi surpassed national targets. Institutional deliveries stood at 97.18 per cent, with Lakshadweep achieving 100 per cent. Suicide rate was 12 per 100,000 population in 2022. Bihar had the lowest at 1. Malnutrition still affects children and women Despite gains, India still faces serious challenges: 35 per cent of children under five are stunted 19 per cent are wasted 67 per cent of under-five children and 57 per cent of women (15–49) are anaemic These figures from NFHS (2019–21) point to deep-rooted nutritional deficiencies that threaten long-term health outcomes. India's NCD burden rising fast Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer accounted for over 60 per cent of all deaths in India in 2019, according to the NCD portal. Experts warn that without targeted prevention and early detection, the NCD crisis could derail SDG progress. What India must do to stay on track for 2030 To meet SDG 3 goals, experts recommend an integrated strategy that: Expands last-mile healthcare delivery Scales up NCD screening and treatment Closes the nutrition gap in children and women Invests in mental health and injury care Increases funding for primary healthcare As the 2030 deadline approaches, bridging rural–urban divides and ensuring healthcare equity will be crucial to India's success in achieving SDG 3.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) 2025: Top 10 highest and lowest ranked countries — where does India rank?
Human Development Index (HDI) 2025 Ranking List: Human development is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown accompanied by weak progress driven by trade tensions, rising debt crises, and joblessness across diverse industries, as per the latest UNDP 2025 Human Development Report. It further noted the widening gap in inequality between countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) scores and those with very high HDI scores for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting a stark reversal of a historical trend where such inequalities were decreasing. In a notable mention, European nations continue to dominate the top positions in HDI 2025, with eight of the top ten spots going to countries from the continent; meanwhile, the major global economy, the United States, is positioned at 13th globally. Asian economies such as Hong Kong (SAR), which ranks 8th; Singapore, 13th; South Korea, 20th; and Japan, 23rd, all the countries falling into the very high human development category. China, on the other hand, ranks 78th in the high human development category. Source: Human Development Index – UNDP Human Development Report 2025 On the contrary, Pakistan and the countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region rank incredibly low in the HDI 2025, falling in the low human development category. Source: Human Development Index – UNDP Human Development Report 2025 On the other hand, India shows steady upward movement in the HDI rankings, ranking 130 in the 2025 UNDP report. The country's HDI value rose from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, placing India in the medium human development category and bringing it closer to the high human development threshold (HDI ≥ 0.700). Since 1990, India's HDI value has soared by over 53%, outpacing global and South Asian averages. This reflects consistent advancements in crucial areas of human development, supported by economic growth and focused welfare initiatives. The UNDP's 2025 report assesses global development through the lens of various indicators of the Human Development Index (HDI), which includes metrics related to health, education, and income levels. Projections for 2024 indicate that progress on the HDI is stagnating across all regions worldwide. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
