New Delhi [India], May 6 (HBTV): India continues its steady rise on the Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 130 out of 193 countries in the 2025 Human Development Report released on Monday by the United Nations Development Programme. With an HDI value increasing from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, India remains in the medium human development category, edging closer to the threshold for high human development (HDI ≥ 0.700).

The 2025 report, titled A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI, highlights the critical role of artificial intelligence in shaping the next chapter of human development—particularly in fast-growing economies like India.

‘We congratulate India on its notable progress in the Human Development Index, rising from rank 133 in 2022 to 130 in 2023. This advancement reflects sustained improvements in key dimensions of human development, particularly in mean years of schooling and national income per capita. India’s life expectancy reaching its highest level since the inception of the index is a testament to the country’s robust recovery from the pandemic and its investments and commitment to long-term human well-being. With a renewed focus on women-led development, quality education and healthcare for all, India is well-positioned to achieve inclusive growth and continued progress on human development,’ said Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India.

India’s HDI value has increased by over 53 per cent since 1990, outpacing both global and South Asian averages. This progress has been driven by economic growth and targeted social protection and welfare programmes.

Life expectancy has risen from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, the highest recorded since the index was introduced. National health initiatives by successive governments—such as the National Rural Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Poshan Abhiyaan—have played a significant role in achieving this milestone.

Children today are expected to stay in school for an average of 13 years, up from 8.2 years in 1990. Initiatives such as the Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, and the National Education Policy 2020 have contributed to this progress, although quality and learning outcomes remain critical areas of focus.

On the economic front, India’s Gross National Income per capita increased more than fourfold—from USD 2,167.22 in 1990 to USD 9,046.76 in 2023. Over the years, India’s progress in economic growth and investments in programmes like MGNREGA, Jan Dhan Yojana, and digital inclusion have significantly contributed to poverty reduction. Notably, 135 million Indians escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015–16 and 2019–21.

(ANI)