About India: Challenges Persistent Inequality Photo: Sharbend De/UNDP India Persistent inequality is reflected in the low human development attainments of the country’s most marginalized groups including scheduled castes, tribal and rural populations, women, transgenders, people living with HIV and migrants. Gender Inequality Despite Economic Growth Photo: Niklas Hallen/UNDP India Gender inequality in India persists despite high rates of economic growth, and is particularly apparent among marginalized groups. Women participate in employment and decision making much less, than men. This disparity is not likely to be eliminated soon. India’s poor performance on women’s empowerment and gender equality is reflected in many indicators, particularly, the low sex ratio. The government has launched several commendable schemes to save and educate the girl child and the national average has risen from 943 females per 1000 males. However, in many parts of India it continues to remain...
Social indicators Population growth rate (avg. annual %) 2005-2010 1.4 Urban population growth rate (avg. annual %) 2005-2010 2.4 Rural population growth rate (avg. annual %) 2005-2010 1.1 Urban population (%) 2007 29.2 Population aged 0-14 years (%) 2009 31.3 Population aged 60+ years (women and men, % of total) 2009 8.0/6.8 Sex ratio (men per 100 women) 2009 106.9 Life expectancy at birth (women and men, years) 2005-2010 65.0/62.1 Infant mortality rate (per 1 000 live births) 2005-2010 54.6 Fertility rate, total (live births per woman) 2005-2010 2.8 Contraceptive prevalence (ages 15-49, %) 2006-2009 56.3 International migrant stock (000 and % of total population) mid-2010 5436.0/0.5 Includes refugees. Refugees and others of concern to UNHCR end-2008 188328 Education: Government expenditure (% of GDP) 2005-2008 3.2 Education: Primary-secondary gross enrolment ratio (w/m per 100) 200...