India continues to see significant improvements in key maternal and child health indicators. Photos for representative purposes only | Image source: Getty Images
The story so far
India’s growth in Human Development Index (HDI) rose, according to 130 of 193 countries 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) The United Nations Development Plan was released earlier this week. The country ranks 133 in 2022. India’s HDI value increased from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, putting the country in the medium human development category.
The recent report added that India’s life expectancy is the highest since the index was founded, indicating the pandemic and its impact on life expectancy. Life expectancy increased from 58 in 1990 to 72 in 2023, the highest record since the index began.
Why has life expectancy improved?
According to the report, this can be attributed to many factors, including overall investment and inclusive development in the country. Angela Lusigi, an Indian Representative for UNDP, said the rise in life expectancy could be attributed to India’s strong recovery from the pandemic and its investments and commitment to long-term human well-being. Also provides refocused credit for women’s leadership development and quality education and healthcare for all.
The report noted that the national health plan of continuous governments including the National Health Mission, including Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Janani Suraksha Yojana and Poshan Abhiyaan also made a significant contribution to this achievement.
In addition, today’s children are expected to stay in school for an average of 13 years in 1990.
The report notes that understanding of the economy, India’s total gross national income per capita has exceeded four times, increasing from $2167.22 in 1990 to $9046.76 in 2023, which can be attributed to investments in programs such as Mgnrega, Jan Dhan Yojana and digital inclusion that contributed to poverty reduction. Importantly, between 2015-16 and 2019-21, 135 million Indians escaped multidimensional poverty.
How does the mother/infant mortality rate increase in India?
According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) report 2021 Registration Officer of India (RGI) on May 7, 2025, India continues to witness significant improvements in key maternal and child health indicators. The latest data show that India’s downward trend in maternal and child mortality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 targets is stable, with progress exceeding the global average.
The data indicate that maternal mortality rates have dropped significantly from per 1.3 million live births to 93 live births, and infant mortality rates have dropped from 39 per 000 live births in 2014 to 27 per 000 live births in 2021. The neonatal mortality rate dropped from per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 19 per 1,000 live births in 2021, and the mortality rate for under five years old dropped from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to per 1,000 live births in 2021.
“These ongoing improvements are the result of strategic interventions and ongoing efforts, which, in the case where the government’s flagship health programme is seamlessly integrated to ensure quality health care, is completely cost-free, negating zero tolerance for denial of care. Ayushmanbharat, the world’s largest health care service, is the world’s largest health care service for you to provide Rs 5 global health care. Interventions ensure that every pregnant woman has the right to provide free institutions, including caesarean sections, as well as free transport, medication, diagnostic and nutrition support in public health facilities are contributing factors.”
Also read: Accelerated: India and 2025 Human Development Report
What are the challenges in the future?
The report notes that despite the progress, great progress has been made in ensuring longer lifespans for Indians, but challenges remain. Inequality cut India’s HDI by 30.7%, one of the highest losses in the region. While health and educational inequality have improved, income and gender differences remain large.
The report also highlights the global slowdown in human development. HDR in 2025 reveals the slowest progress rate since 1990 – India is no exception. “If the trend continues, the world will be expected to reach very high human development by 2030, aligning with the target schedule of sustainable development. Now, the risk of this milestone has been delayed for decades,” the report noted.
publishing – May 10, 2025-3:56 pm ist
