The country lifted 415 million people out of poverty in just a few years through sanitation, cooking gas, and rural expansion, becoming a global case study

In one of the largest poverty reductions ever recorded, the country transformed the daily lives of millions with sanitation, energy, running water, and cooking gas, becoming an international benchmark in public policies with measurable impact.

In rural communities and outlying neighborhoods that previously faced shortages of electricity, water, and infrastructure, daily life has undergone significant transformations over the past 15 years.

Families who used to cook with firewood switched to gas, villages gained electricity, and collecting water ceased to be a daily task.

According to United Nations Development Program (UNDP)These changes are associated with one of the largest reductions in multidimensional poverty ever recorded.

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What does the MPI measure and why is the result relevant?

O MPI assesses simultaneous deprivations in health, education and standard of living, going beyond income measurement.

The indicator considers, among other factors, access to a bathroom, years of schooling, nutritional status, electricity, treated water, and building materials used in housing.

Experts point out that the index is able to capture progress more quickly when public policies reduce specific daily needs.

During the period analyzed, official data show a consistent decline in the indicator.

This movement coincided with the expansion of sanitation networks, housing programs, hygiene campaigns e electrification of villagesin addition to the expansion of household water supply.

The spread of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) It also had an impact by replacing polluting fuels and reducing respiratory illnesses, according to assessments by the UNDP and the World Bank.

India has reduced multidimensional poverty for 415 million people in 15 years through sanitation, cooking gas, piped water, and electricity.

Sanitation and hygiene: measured impact on health and school.

The sanitation policy was based on the construction of household and community toilets, educational campaigns, and connecting homes to sewage systems.

Public reports indicate that reducing open defecation has led to a decrease in infectious diseases and improvements in health indicators. Children's health.

Research also shows an increase in girls' school attendance, due to access to adequate sanitary facilities.

In the field of housing, housing programs sought to replace precarious structures with houses that have better quality floors, walls, and roofs.

According to official data, this transformation positively influenced the MPI components related to living standards.

Energy and clean cooking: changes in access

The universalization of electricity and the expansion of the use of cooking gas They changed daily life in rural communities.

Electrification programs have enabled access to lighting, refrigeration, and means of communication.

The expansion of LPG use has reduced dependence on firewood and charcoal, which are associated with health problems and low productivity.

The UNDP highlights that the presence of electricity and clean fuels is considered a reduction in deprivation within the MPI.

Closer water supply: saving time and improving sanitation.

Expanding access to potable water And the proximity of water sources to residences also contributed to the results.

In rural areas, where waste collection used to consume hours daily, the installation of household waste collection systems has reduced the time spent on this task and the health risks, according to public policy analyses.

Studies indicate that proximity to water has increased the availability of time for study and work, especially among women.

Health and nutrition: progress recorded among children

Policies of health and nutrition They completed the set of actions.

Official data indicate that expanding service points, distributing supplements, and fortifying staple foods have helped reduce deprivation in key performance indicators. child nutrition.

According to the UNDP, programs of income transfer And targeted subsidies acted as buffers against economic and climate shocks, contributing to the stability of household consumption.

Education: retention and incentives

The increase in school enrollment, especially among girls, was another noteworthy element.

Improved school infrastructure, the provision of food and transportation, and financial incentives have helped to reduce dropout rates.

Since the MPI considers years of study and attendance, these advances have directly impacted the reduction of multidimensional poverty, according to OPHI reports.

Infrastructure and financial inclusion: economic integration

In addition to social policies, the country invested in rural roads e digital connectivitywhich facilitated farmers' access to markets and financial services.

The expansion of bank accounts and the use of digital payments They increased the efficiency of government transfers and reduced operational costs.

According to the World Bank, this financial integration has helped to strengthen income predictability and to plan family spending on health and education.

International assessment and comparisons with Brazil

Organisms such as UNDP and World Bank They emphasize that large-scale policies focused on basic services can generate significant results when well-coordinated.

Most people who escaped multidimensional poverty lived in rural areas e families with children, which, according to these organizations, reinforces the importance of investments in sanitation, nutrition e education.

In Brazil, experts see the experience as a possible reference for policies that combine clear goals, stable financing e public monitoring.

Differences between poverty metrics

A income poverty It assesses daily per capita consumption and is widely used in international comparisons, but may not reflect actual access to essential services.

Already multidimensional poverty It measures simultaneous deprivations and shows faster progress when public policies address specific needs.

In the case analyzed, both metrics indicated improvement, albeit at different rates, according to recent studies.

Challenges still present

Despite the progress, national reports show pockets of deprivation in historically poorer states and challenges in urban areas marked by informal settlements.

There are also records of problems related to quality and consistency of water and energy services, especially in remote regions.

Experts point out that overcoming these shortcomings requires "second-generation" policies focused on maintaining and improving the quality of services.

A model observed by other countries.

According to the UNDP, the experience has become a global benchmark for articulating verifiable goals, public indicators e constant monitoring.

The period from 2005/2006 to 2019/2021 allows us to identify the impact of policies launched during this period, showing that improvements in sanitation, clean household energy, piped water e basic infrastructure They can reduce deprivation in a measurable way.

Among the lessons highlighted by researchers is the importance of coordination between levels of government, from continuous funding and the focus on the so-called "last mile," where the most vulnerable populations live.

In the Brazilian case, experts believe that policies with this degree of integration could accelerate the reduction of deprivation in regions with a historical lack of infrastructure.

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The country lifted 415 million people out of poverty in just a few years through sanitation, cooking gas, and rural expansion, becoming a global case study.

In one of the largest poverty reductions ever recorded, the country transformed the daily lives of millions with sanitation, energy, running water, and cooking gas, becoming an international benchmark in public policies with measurable impact.

What does the MPI measure and why is the result relevant?

Sanitation and hygiene: measured impact on health and school.

Energy and clean cooking: changes in access

Closer water supply: saving time and improving sanitation.