India to halve multidimensional poverty by 2030: UNICEF

According to the UNICEF report, around 206 million children in India -- nearly half of the country’s child population -- lack access to at least one of six essential services: education, health, housing, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. Of these, about 62 million children face two or more deprivations, underscoring persistent inequalities despite national progress.

The report, released on World Children’s Day, said more than half of India’s 460 million children now had access to basic services, but the gains remained uneven across regions and communities.

“India has made strides in poverty reduction -- a powerful sign it is on track to achieve SDG 1.2 ahead of the 2030 target -- while investment in child wellbeing has plateaued globally,” UNICEF noted. “India’s advances have been pivotal in driving down child poverty.”

Citing the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, the report said that 248 million people moved out of poverty between 2013–14 and 2022–23, with the national poverty rate dropping from 29.2% to 11.3%. A sharp expansion in social protection—rising from 19% coverage in 2015 to over 64% by 2025, reaching about 940 million citizens—has played a central role in this shift.

“There is no greater return on investment than investing in children,” said UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey. She added that India’s experience shows how accelerating effective programmes can help “reach the last mile” and realize Vision 2047.

“Improving children’s wellbeing isn’t just about resources—it’s about collective will and leadership to prioritise children in every decision we make,” she said.

UNICEF credited flagship schemes such as Poshan Abhiyaan, Samagra Shiksha, PM-KISAN, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission for expanding access to nutrition, education, sanitation, income support and financial inclusion.

Dr Pinaki Chakraborty of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy stressed that protecting fiscal space for child-focused programmes was “essential for child wellbeing.” Observer Research Foundation’s Dr Nilanjan Ghosh added that the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 must rest on “equity and sustainability,” noting that “India’s real engine of transformation lies in sustained investments in children—the economic and social returns are very high.”

However, the report warned that progress remains fragile. Children with disabilities, those in conflict-affected or climate-stressed regions, and younger children face disproportionate hardships. Rising debt, economic shocks and climate change threaten to reverse hard-won gains.

Globally, one in five children in low- and middle-income countries—about 400 million—suffer at least two severe deprivations in basic services. Children are twice as likely as adults to live in extreme poverty, the report said.

UNICEF urged governments to integrate child rights into national policies, expand inclusive social protection, ensure equitable access to health and education, support decent work for caregivers, and include children’s voices in policymaking.