Bihar Ranks Last in Human Development Index and Key Social Indicators Among Indian States
Data from Niti Aayog and the Ministry of Statistics reveals that Bihar continues to struggle with poor social and economic indicators. In 2022, Bihar ranked last among 27 states in the Human Development Index (HDI) with a score of 0.609. The state has the highest percentage of women (40.8%) married before the age of 18 and the lowest percentage of females who have ever attended school (61.1%). While Bihar shows some positive environmental trends, such as low plastic waste generation and fossil fuel consumption, its per capita income remains the lowest in the country.
Key Points
- Bihar's HDI score of 0.609 is the lowest among the 27 states measured in 2022.
- The state has significant challenges in education, with only 17.1% Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education.
- Bihar's infant mortality rate (IMR) was 46.8 in 2019-21, significantly higher than the national average.
- Manufacturing accounts for only 5.7% of employment in Bihar, compared to 23.7% in Gujarat.
Exam Facts
- Bihar HDI score (2022): 0.609 (Rank 27 of 27).
- Per capita Net State Domestic Product (Bihar): ₹60,337.
- Percentage of women married before age 18 in Bihar: 40.8%.
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