Population And Poverty

Our country which is having second highest population in the world have seen a five-fold increase over the last 100 years and will surpass that of China by 2050. Projections made so far show that while India's population grew by 1.4 per cent over the last five years, China saw only a 0.6 per cent population growth in the same period. India's total population is nearing 120 crores while China's nearing 135 crores. Pakistan's population grew at the highest rate of 2.2 per cent in last five years among the neighbouring countries however it has still not reached to 20 crores. By 2050 India's population is expected to increase to 160 crores and that of China will be only around 140 crores.

Currently Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar combined contribute to 25 per cent of India’s population and by 2025 it will grow to one third of country. The individual populations of many Indian states equal the total population of many countries. Uttar Pradesh with a population 18.3 crores nearly touches that of Brazil at 18.7 crores, Maharashtra's 10.4 crores is equal to that of Mexico's 10.4 crores and Bihar's 9 crores is more than Germany's 8.3 crores.

The recent measurement of poverty through Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) shows that acute poverty prevails in eight most populous Indian states, (421 million in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal) together accounting for more poor people than in the 26 poorest African nations combine (410 million). The MPI assesses a range of critical factors or 'deprivations' at the household level from education to health outcomes to assets and services. Taken together, these factors provide a fuller portrait of acute poverty than simple income measures. Progress towards the eight important Millennium Development Goals is measured through 21 targets and 60 official indicators and based on these indicators the recent report mentions that though there has been progress by India it is not sufficient.

High mortality among the under five children is one of the cause of high population growth. Globally 8.8 million children a year die before their fifth birthday, more than forty per cent of them during their first four weeks of life. At least two-thirds of all child deaths are preventable. India has reached to under-five mortality rate of 69 per 1000 live births from 116 in 1990 while Bangladesh has reached to 54 from 149. China has reached to 21 from 46. Globally countries are being advocated to bring the under-five mortality rate at least below 40 per 1000 live births by 2015. 

As per UNDP advocacy, it needs improving access and quality of health care. Investment in health information and referral systems, equipment, medical supplies and infrastructure is critical. It also needs to note that usually the poor are excluded. The high national coverage levels do not always indicate progress in reaching the poorest and most vulnerable population. For reducing inequities it needs greater political commitment, specific targeting of low-income groups, redirecting of human resources and other strategies. 

The country should identify inequities in coverage by geographic area, casts and religion, income and the like—and initiate actions to not only to provide universal coverage of essential interventions and packages but their delivery also. Parliamentarians should participate in national and local reviews of health related data to monitor progress and advocate for greater budgetary resources as well legislative frameworks to be sure that evidence based polices are adopted.