HOW DID INDIA'S NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASED LONGEVITY?

Programmes by successive government such as the National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan, alongiside a focus on education and development have helped the country reach a life expectancy of 72 years, up from 58.6 in 1990

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India has registered a rise on the Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 130 out of 193 countries as per the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) released earlier this week by the United Nations Development Programme. The country ranked 133 in 2022. India's HDI value increases from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, placing the country in the medium human development category.

The recent report added that India's life expectancy is the highest since the inception of the index, signalling a strong recovery from the pandemic and its impact on life expectancy. Life expectancy rose from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, the highest recorded since the index began.

Bridging gaps, building resilience

Why has life expectancy improved?

According to the report this can be attributed to a number of factors including the country's overall push for investment and inclusive development. Angela Lusigi, resident representative, UNDP India said that rising life expectancy could be attributed to India's robust recovery from the pandemic and its investments and commitment to long-term human well-being. Credit is also being given to renewed focus on women-led development and quality education and healthcare for all.