India lags behind Bangladesh in HDI, Kerala stands out as UP, Bihar fall below Pakistan

Kerala continues to outperform most Indian states in human development, with its Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.775 placing it alongside Mexico and China, while states like Uttar Pradesh (0.592) and Bihar (0.551) align with Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

The southern state also records the lowest murder rate in India, a high rate of case registration, and significantly better health and education indicators, including lower infant mortality and higher female workforce participation.

In contrast, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar face severe developmental challenges, with per capita incomes six times lower than Telangana’s, maternal mortality rates four times higher in Assam than in Maharashtra, and access to doctors and hospital beds significantly lagging behind states like Karnataka and Maharashtra, according to The Wire report.

The delay in conducting the Indian Census, which has not taken place since 2011, has left policymakers, researchers, and analysts without reliable data on various demographic and economic indicators, impacting the ability to assess human development accurately.

While the Indian Census has historically served as the most extensive source of statistical information on the country’s population and socio-economic conditions, the absence of fresh data has hindered a comprehensive understanding of India’s progress and disparities in human development.

One key area affected by the lack of updated census data is India’s Human Development Index (HDI), which measures achievements in life expectancy, education, and income levels. India’s HDI score of 0.644 places it below countries such as Iraq (0.673), Botswana (0.708), and Bangladesh (0.670), while also falling significantly below the global average of 0.739.

However, stark disparities exist within India itself, with Kerala scoring 0.775, putting it in a category comparable to Mexico (0.781), Cuba (0.764), and China (0.788), whereas states like Uttar Pradesh (0.592) and Bihar (0.551) rank closer to Zimbabwe (0.550) and Pakistan (0.540). These figures highlight the uneven development among Indian states, suggesting that geography continues to determine access to resources and quality of life.

Economic inequalities between states are also pronounced, as reflected in the per capita income figures released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in 2023. Telangana’s per capita income of ₹3.08 lakh per year is more than twice that of Madhya Pradesh (₹1.4 lakh) and six times that of Bihar (₹49,000).

Comparisons with neighbouring countries further illustrate these disparities, as Pakistan’s per capita income, when converted to Indian rupees, stands at ₹1.2 lakh, while Bangladesh fares better at ₹2.1 lakh. These figures challenge assumptions about economic performance being tied to national identity, as states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar continue to lag behind despite being integral to India’s economy.

The differences extend beyond healthcare and education, as employment and legal systems also manifest disparities. Women’s participation in the labour force in Himachal Pradesh is 12 times higher than in Bihar, while legal proceedings in Manipur result in chargesheets only 14% of the time, compared to 92% in Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Kerala, despite registering the highest crime rates in the country, reports the lowest murder rate, suggesting that law enforcement effectiveness varies widely across states.