World Bank – India Country Overview 2006
With some 1.1 billion people, diverse regions, and a vibrant democracy, India has been making progress on a scale, size and pace that is unprecedented in its own history. In the nearly 60 years since its independence, the country has been successful on a number of fronts:
- It has maintained electoral democracy
- Banished the specter of famines
- Reduced absolute poverty by more than half
- Dramatically improved literacy
- Vastly improved health conditions
- Become one of the worlds fastest growing economies with average growth rates of 8% over the past three years
- Emerged as a global player in information technology, business process outsourcing, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals
- Is now the worlds fourth largest economy in purchasing power parity terms.
Challenges
The countrys achievements have, however, created new challenges. Some of the most prominent are:
1. Improving the Delivery of Core Public Services
As incomes rise, citizens are demanding better delivery of core public services such as water and power supply, education, policing, sanitation, roads and public health. And as physical access to services improves, issues of quality have become more central.
Education: While
Health: Although population growth has fallen below 2% per year due to declining fertility, there has been little improvement in maternal mortality rates. Despite falling child mortality, rates remain high as they are strongly related to child malnutrition where little progress has been made.
Infrastructure: Power networks, roads, transportation systems and ports are facing huge demands from