1.34 Per Cent Average Annual HDI Growth Makes India One of the Fastest Improving Countries

Expenditure on 'Education and Health' As Percentage of GDP Increased From 4 To 4.7 Per Cent Between 2014-15 And 2019-20

Investment in social infrastructure is a pre-requisite for inclusive growth and employment. The Government's commitment towards social well-being is a major highlight of the Economic Survey 2019-20 which was presented by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in Parliament today.

Trends in Expenditure on Social Services

As per the Economic Survey, the expenditure on social services by the Centre and States increased from 7.68 lakh crore in 2014-15 to 15.79 lakh crore in 2019-20 (Budget Estimate). As a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the expenditure on social services has registered an increase of 1.5 percentage points during the period 2014-15 to 2019-20 from 6.2 to 7.7 per cent. The expenditure on education, as percentage of GDP increased from 2.8 per cent to 3.1 per cent between 2014-15 and 2019-20 (BE). Similarly, expenditure on health increased from 1.2 per cent to 1.6 per cent during the same period as percentage of GDP, the pre-Budget document notes.

Human Development

India's rank in the Human Development Index (HDI) improved to 129 in 2018 from 130 in 2017, reaching a value of 0.647. With 1.34 per cent average annual HDI growth, India is among the fastest improving countries. Among its BRICS peers, India is ahead of China (0.95), South Africa (0.78), Russian Federation (0.69) and Brazil (0.59). To sustain this momentum in human development and to further accelerate it, the role of public sector in delivery of social services is critical, observes the Survey.

Social services expenditure rise as GDP share expands, reinforcing public delivery of education and health and aiding human development. Expenditure on social services rose from 6.2% to 7.7% of GDP between 2014-15 and 2019-20, with education increasing to 3.1% and health to 1.6% of GDP; the Survey frames this public investment as essential for inclusive growth and notes associated HDI improvement and robust average annual HDI growth.