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India has made international headlines by crossing a historic economic and social milestone. India has succeeded in lifting 171 million people out of poverty during the period of 2011-2023, a robust testimony to its achievement, a recent World Bank report has said. India has become a "statistical outlier", topping global trends in poverty reduction and proving the success of its model of development.
Source: Business Today – India defies global trend, lifts 171 million out of extreme poverty
A Dramatic Shift: From 27.1% to 5.3%
According to World Bank statistics:
- India's extreme poverty rate dropped from 27.1% (2011–12) to 5.3% (2022–23).
- Rural poverty has declined by 23.5 percentage points.
- Urban poverty went down by 13.1 percentage points.
"India's achievement is unmatched not just in scale, but in speed," the report stated.
This change is one of the most rapid declines in poverty in recent history, especially among large economies.
What Made This Possible?
India's poverty reduction success is due to a series of targeted strategies:
1. Economic Growth & Job Creation
India has maintained high GDP growth rates in spite of global turbulences and created jobs and increased income levels.
2. Strong Welfare Programs
Government schemes such as:
- Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs)
- Ujjwala Yojana (LPG connections)
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (affordable housing)
These schemes delivered food, financial, and housing security to crores of individuals.
3. Digital Revolution
The JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) laid a robust digital foundation for efficient and transparent subsidy transfer.
4. Rural Upliftment
Initiatives like MGNREGA (employment in rural areas) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (sanitation) greatly improved rural living standards.
A Global Outlier
In an era when the majority of developing countries struggled with increasing poverty, India's data are striking:
- The World Bank has described India as a "statistical outlier".
- Indian initiatives align with UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 – eradicating all forms of poverty.
Find out more about the SDGs on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals website.
What's Next?
While this is a historic victory, there is much still to be done:
- Urban poverty and underemployment still must be tackled by policy.
- Access to quality education, decent healthcare, and up-skilling continues to be vital.
India's future task is to ensure that the progress is sustained, inclusive, and future-proof.
Related External Resources:
- World Bank Official Website
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- NITI Aayog Poverty Eradication Initiatives
- Indian Ministry of Rural Development
✍️ Final Thoughts
India's record-breaking poverty reduction is not only a national triumph—it's a global case study. Through consistent policies, inclusive growth, and effective leverage of technology, India is showing that scale change is possible even when confronted with global economic challenges.
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