The UNDP and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) released the 2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) — titled 'Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards' — on October 17, 2025. India's multidimensional poverty rate fell from 55.1% (2005–06) to 16.4% (2019–21), lifting approximately 415 million people out of poverty in 15 years — the largest poverty reduction globally in that period. India's MPI value stands at 0.069. However, over 80% of India's poor live in climate-hazard-prone regions facing overlapping threats of extreme heat, flooding, and severe air pollution. Kerala was officially declared the first Indian state free from extreme poverty on November 1, 2025. The report underscores that climate vulnerability disproportionately intensifies poverty deprivations, demanding integrated policy responses.
Global MPI 2025: India Lifts 415 Million Out of Poverty in 15 Years, But Climate-Poverty Overlap Remains Critical
The UNDP and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) released the 2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) — titled 'Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards' — on October 17, 2025. India's multidimensional poverty rate fell from 55.1% (2005–06) to 16.4% (2019–21), lifting approximately 415 million people out of poverty in 15 years — the largest poverty reduction globally in that period. India's MPI value stands at 0.069. However, over 80% of India's poor live in climate-hazard-prone regions facing overlapping threats of extreme heat, flooding, and severe air pollution. Kerala was officially declared the first Indian state free from extreme poverty on November 1, 2025. The report underscores that climate vulnerability disproportionately intensifies poverty deprivations, demanding integrated policy responses.
Key facts
- India reduced multidimensional poverty from 55.1% (2005-06) to 16.4% (2019-21), lifting 415 million people.
- The 2025 Global MPI was released by UNDP and OPHI on October 17, 2025.
- India's MPI value stands at 0.069 — the largest poverty reduction globally in 15 years.
- Over 80% of India's poor live in climate-hazard-prone regions facing extreme heat, flooding and pollution.
- Kerala is on track to become India's first state free from extreme poverty by November 2025.
- The report is titled 'Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards'.
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Source: UNDP / OPHI
Frequently asked questions
What is the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and who releases it?
The Global MPI is a composite index that measures poverty across three dimensions — health, education, and living standards — using ten indicators. It is jointly released by the UNDP and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
By how much did India reduce its multidimensional poverty rate between 2005–06 and 2019–21?
India reduced its multidimensional poverty rate from 55.1% in 2005–06 to 16.4% in 2019–21, lifting approximately 415 million people out of poverty — the largest such reduction globally in that 15-year period. India's MPI value now stands at 0.069.
What is the theme of the Global MPI 2025 report?
The 2025 report is titled 'Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards'. It highlights the dual burden faced by the poor who are simultaneously trapped in multidimensional poverty and exposed to climate-related hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, and air pollution.
What is the significance of the climate-poverty overlap highlighted in the 2025 MPI report for India?
Over 80% of India's multidimensionally poor live in regions prone to climate hazards — extreme heat, floods, and severe air pollution. This overlap means that poverty reduction efforts must be integrated with climate adaptation strategies; otherwise climate shocks can reverse hard-won gains.
Which Indian state is on track to become free from extreme poverty, and what is its significance for RPSC RAS?
Kerala was officially declared India's first state free from extreme poverty on November 1, 2025. For RAS, this is relevant as it illustrates the outcomes of strong HDI investment, effective PDS, and universal health coverage — models that policy questions often probe.
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