Patna: Bihar has made substantial progress across a range of social and economic indicators over the past two decades, emerging as one of India’s fastest-improving states in areas such as human development, poverty reduction, health, nutrition, education and access to basic services.
According to official data, the state’s Human Development Index (HDI) increased from 0.485 in 2006 to 0.614 in 2023, representing a rise of nearly 27%. The improvement exceeds the national average growth rate of 23% during the same period.
Fastest Decline In Multidimensional Poverty
One of Bihar’s most significant achievements has been its performance in reducing multidimensional poverty.
According to NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), the proportion of people living in multidimensional poverty in Bihar declined from 51.89% in 2015-16 to 33.76% in 2019-21.
The reduction of 18.13 percentage points was the highest recorded by any state in the country during the period.
By comparison, multidimensional poverty at the national level declined by 9.89 percentage points, meaning Bihar’s rate of improvement was almost double the national average.
Officials attribute the progress to sustained investments and targeted interventions in education, healthcare, nutrition, housing, sanitation and other essential services.
Per Capita Income Rises Thirteen-Fold
The state’s economic indicators have also shown significant growth.
Bihar’s per capita income increased from Rs 5,780 in 2004 to Rs 76,490 in 2024-25, representing a rise of approximately 1,223% over two decades.
The state recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 13%, which officials say is higher than the national average growth rate during the period.
Development expenditure has also increased substantially. Per capita development expenditure rose from Rs 1,463 in 2005-06 to Rs 13,279 in 2024-25.
During this period, spending on health increased 14.8-fold, while expenditure on education rose 13.2-fold.
Improvements In Health And Nutrition
Bihar has reported notable gains in health outcomes.
Institutional deliveries increased from 19.9% in 2005-06 to 81.1% in 2023-24, reflecting more than a fourfold rise.
Life expectancy at birth improved from 64.2 years to 69.5 years over the same period.
The state has also registered substantial improvements in child nutrition indicators.
According to the data, stunting among children declined by 20 percentage points, underweight prevalence fell by 20.2 percentage points, and wasting reduced by 8.1 percentage points.
Officials noted that these improvements were greater than those recorded at the national level during the corresponding period.
Employment Indicators Improve
Labour market indicators have also shown positive trends.
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2024, Bihar’s unemployment rate stood at 3%, slightly below the national average of 3.2%.
The figures suggest gradual improvements in employment opportunities and labour force participation across the state.
Progress On Sustainable Development Goals
Bihar has also recorded advances in its performance on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the 2023-24 SDG Index, the state ranked third nationally in the “Clean Water and Sanitation” (SDG-6) category with a score of 98.
Its score in the “Good Health and Well-being” (SDG-3) category improved from 44 in 2018-19 to 67 in 2023-24, moving Bihar from the “Aspirant” category to the “Front Runner” category.
The state’s overall SDG score increased from 48 to 57 during the same period, placing Bihar in the “Performer” category.
Foundation For Future Growth
Officials said the combined improvements in human development, poverty reduction, health, nutrition, employment and sustainable development indicators provide a strong foundation for Bihar’s long-term development goals.
The data reflects what the government describes as a sustained effort to pursue inclusive growth while improving social outcomes, with investments in public services and welfare programmes contributing to gains across multiple sectors.
With progress recorded on both social and economic fronts, Bihar’s development trajectory is increasingly being cited as evidence of the state’s transformation over the past two decades.
