India is known as the third poorest country in the world and based on statistics has the most poverty-stricken regions on the planet. In 2010, over 32% of Indians are below the poverty line, which is set internationally at US$ 1.25 daily, while more than 68% are earning a living at only $2.00 daily, as reported by the World Bank.
Statistical Rate of Poverty
On the other hand, UNDP or United Nations Development Program provided data in 2010 containing information that about 29% of Indians are living below the poverty line of the country. Another report done by the OPHI or Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, stated that 8 states in India have over 400 million poor people.
According to a Poverty Development Goals Report in 2011, it is projected that around 320 million people both in China and India will be coming out from extreme poverty in the coming 4 years. With the situation of India, the projected rate would drop from 51% as recorded in 1990 to around 22% as 2015 approaches. It is also indicated in the report that within Southern Asia, India is the only country having a track record for cutting poverty in half as of the 2015 target.
Effects of Poverty
With poverty problems, a great number of malnourished children, who are also staying in India, are also included in such data. As the latest data of UNICEF has shown, 1 out of 3 malnourished children around the globe can be found in the country. Another data also shows that 42% of children in the country under the age of 5 are underweight while 58% of children in the same age range were stunted. But due to some NGO’s data, it is stated that the malnourishment in the country was due to dietary practices and was not because of economic poverty. It was shown that children would feed on high carbohydrate foods and are not surveyed as hungry. The lack of women’s awareness about breastfeeding their children are also a serious case that authorities see as the main problem.
There are many programs done to alleviate poverty in the country that started from providing basic necessities and food, enables people to access loans and various ways. Though the economy of the country has grown steadily, the growth in the population’s earnings was less making it difficult for the people to escape from the wrath of poverty.
Efforts to Reduce Poverty
By 2010 report released by World Bank progress, the country is on its steady track in meeting their goals to reduce poverty. Though in 2015, it is estimated that about 53 million people are still living in extreme poverty. But by 2020, it is expected that about 20% will be reduced from the last percentage recorded in 2010.
One of the main causes of poverty is the growth in the population and other economic problems occurring within the country. As these causes are not solved, the statistics of poverty in India is expected to increase and may not be alleviated in targeted dates as what the government may set.