Q.The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report.

Body (170-180 words)

• Outline the structure and dimensions of the MPI (Health, Education, Standard of Living).
• Analyze key global findings from the latest UN MPI report.
• Detail India's specific progress and remaining structural challenges.
• Conclusion (30-40 words): Emphasize how multidimensional poverty assessment leads to more targeted and effective policy design.

Body

graph TD
    MPI["Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Framework"] --> Health["Health"]
    MPI --> Education["Education"]
    MPI --> Standard["Standard of Living"]
    Health --> Nutrition["Nutrition"]
    Health --> ChildMortality["Child Mortality"]
    Education --> YearsSchooling["Years of Schooling"]
    Education --> SchoolAttendance["School Attendance"]
    Standard --> CookingFuel["Cooking Fuel"]
    Standard --> Sanitation["Sanitation"]
    Standard --> DrinkingWater["Drinking Water"]
    Standard --> Electricity["Electricity"]
    Standard --> Housing["Housing"]
    Standard --> Assets["Assets"]

Understanding the MPI Framework

Developed by the UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the MPI evaluates deprivations across three equally weighted dimensions consisting of 10 indicators:

• Health: Nutrition, Child Mortality.
• Education: Years of Schooling, School Attendance.
• Standard of Living: Cooking Fuel, Sanitation, Drinking Water, Electricity, Housing, Assets.

A household is classified as multidimensionally poor if it is deprived in at least one-third (33.3%) of these weighted indicators.

Key Global Findings from the Latest MPI Report

• Global Scale of Poverty: Approximately 1.1 billion people globally live in acute multidimensional poverty.
• Vulnerability of Children: Children bear a disproportionate burden, accounting for over half of the multidimensionally poor population.
• Regional Concentration: The highest concentration of multidimensional poverty remains in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Progressive Trends: Several developing nations, notably India, have demonstrated significant success in reducing their MPI scores.

Analysis of India's Progress

• Massive Poverty Reduction: India successfully lifted 415 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-06 and 2021-21.
• Targeted Deprivation Reductions: Significant improvements were recorded in access to electricity, sanitation, and clean cooking fuel, largely driven by targeted national schemes (e.g., Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana).
• Equitable Growth: Poverty reduction was fastest among the poorest states and historically marginalized groups, helping to narrow regional disparities.