BS EDIT: India Moves Up in HDI Rankings

By Business StandardPublished On May 9, 2025

Modest Progress

India rose from 133 to 130 in the UN HDI 2023

Still in the medium development tier among 193 countries

Nearing High Development

HDI value: 0.685, just below the 0.700 mark

Up 53% since 1990, faster than global and regional averages

Gains in Health & Education

Life expectancy: 72 years (up from 58.6 in 1990)

Schooling: 13 years (was 8.2)

Driven by national health and education schemes

Poverty Decline

135 million people exited poverty (2015–21)

Still trails neighbours like Sri Lanka and Bhutan

Inequality Hurts

HDI drops 30.7% due to inequality—among the highest in Asia

Gender and income gaps persist

Investment Needed

India spends 3–4% of GDP on health & education

Far below what’s needed to leap forward in HDI