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The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report 2024 was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The report focuses on the theme “Poverty Amid Conflict”, examining the interplay between violent conflict and multidimensional poverty.

Key Findings:

• Global Poverty Levels:
  • 1.1 billion people (~18% of the global population) live in acute multidimensional poverty across 112 countries.
  • India has the largest number of people living in multidimensional poverty, with 234 million people.
• Multidimensional Poverty Indicators:
  • The MPI assesses poverty across three key dimensions:
    • Health: Child mortality, malnutrition.
    • Education: Years of schooling, school attendance.
    • Living Standards: Access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, cooking fuel, housing quality, and ownership of basic assets.
  • A person is considered MPI poor if they are deprived in one-third or more of the weighted indicators.
• Impact of Conflict:
  • Countries experiencing violent conflict exhibit higher deprivations across all 10 MPI indicators when compared to non-conflict nations.
  • 40% (455 million people) of those living in poverty are in conflict-affected regions. These regions include active war zones, fragile states, and areas with low peace.
• Child Poverty:
  • 584 million children (27.9% of all children globally) are living in extreme poverty, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the younger population.
  • In contrast, 13.5% of adults are living in extreme poverty.
• Regional Distribution:
  • The regions with the highest poverty rates are Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, which together account for 83.2% of the global poor.
  • Rural Poverty: A majority of the poor (83.7%, or 962 million people) live in rural areas, with 70.7% of the poor concentrated in rural parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Countries with the Highest Poverty:
  • India: 234 million people.
  • Pakistan: 93 million people.
  • Ethiopia: 86 million people.
  • Nigeria: 74 million people.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: 66 million people. These five countries account for 48.1% of the global poor.
• Poverty Amid Conflict:
  • The report underscores that 2023 witnessed the highest number of conflicts since World War II, leading to the displacement of 117 million people due to violent conflicts and other factors like natural disasters.
  • Conflict zones continue to experience higher poverty, as nearly 40% of the world's poorest people live in these areas.

India's Poverty Situation:

• India's Poor Performance:
  • India has 234 million people living in multidimensional poverty, making it the country with the largest share of the global poor.
  • Regional Disparities: Poverty rates in rural areas remain high due to poor infrastructure, limited economic opportunities, and underdeveloped services outside of agriculture.
  • Poor Nutrition: Malnutrition, especially among children, is a significant concern.
  • Education: The quality of education remains subpar, especially in government-run schools, affecting learning outcomes.
  • Water and Sanitation: Inadequate access to clean drinking water and sanitation is prevalent, especially in rural areas.
  • Economic Setbacks: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the economic situation, leading to job losses and reduced incomes.

Government Initiatives for Poverty Alleviation:

• National Food Security Act (NFSA): Provides subsidized food grains to 67% of India's population, targeting rural areas (75%) and urban areas (50%).
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Aims to provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Ayushman Bharat: Health insurance coverage up to ?5 lakh per family, designed to protect against catastrophic healthcare costs.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan: Focuses on reducing malnutrition, particularly among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Right to Education Act (RTE): Guarantees free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years.
• Swachh Bharat Mission: Works to ensure universal sanitation coverage, including the construction of toilets and promoting cleanliness.