Multidimensional Poverty in India – a State Wise Analysis

Aims: Poverty is a major challenge for economic growth and attaining sustainable development goals. This study aimed to estimate the multidimensional poverty index for states of India as well as districts of Tamil Nadu.

Study Design: Based on the secondary data of National Family Health Survey.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: States of India and districts of Tamil Nadu has been studied by using the 2005, 2015 and 2019 NFHS survey data.

Methodology: Alkire Foster methodology was used to Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) of states. 10 indicators in three dimensions viz., health, education and standard of living are considered and all the indicators were given equal weightage and finally the contribution by each indicator is estimated.

Results: India ranks 62nd among 107 countries with an MPI of 0.12. States like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu has drastically reduced the poverty level. Bihar, Assam and Odisha are the regions having highest poverty level. Nutritional deprivation indicator alone had a share of 28.55 per cent in the total poverty index of India. In case of Tamil Nadu the overall index was 0.03. Though the districts like Chennai, Kancheepuram and Vellore need to improve the nutritional aspects because the stunted children are higher in number than the other districts and the obesity was higher in districts like Sivagangai, Krishnagiri and Namakkal.

Conclusion: Overall the index of India has declined but there are higher variability across states and districts in many deprivation indicators. Region specific factors responsible for the deprivation should be identified and constant support related to the nutritional and schooling aspects should be provided in the districts of Tamil Nadu to reduce the poverty index.