India has inched up, but not enough

How can true development of a country be accurately gauged? This question has divided the world for decades, and there is a growing recognition that GDP should not stand as the sole indicator of human development. UNDP's Human Development Index (HDI) underlines the well-being of individuals and improvement of their capabilities should serve as the paramount criteria for evaluating a nation's development rather than solely focusing on economic expansion. Last week, UNDP released its 2023-24 report, which ranks India at 134 out of 193 countries in 2022. This rank is one notch higher than 135 out of 192 countries in 2021 and has been attributed to an increase in life expectancy, a reduction in gender inequality, increased digitalisation and a rise in GNP. With an HDI value of 0.644, India in 2022 figures among medium human development countries.

India's improvement is far from dramatic, indicating that there is a long road ahead for the country if it wants the developed tag by 2047. This journey will not be an easy task since the world is in flux. It is facing interconnected hurdles: growing inequality between rich and developing countries and increasing polarisation within countries that are making global cooperation difficult. This gridlock is making it challenging for developing countries to respond to challenges, such as climate change.

Improving HDI outcomes must be on India's to-do list. It must do so by working around these polycrises, and investing more in health and education. HDR 2023/24 highlights solutions that can lift all boats, and that includes India's digitalisation efforts. As it looks to improve its own human development, India must build capacities of institutions that can respond to global challenges and fulfil its Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam vision.