Trends and Status of Multidimensional Child Deprivation in India from 2005-06 to 2019-21: A Comparative Analysis Using NFHS Data

Abstract

Child deprivation remains a critical issue in India, where many children under five lack access to basic necessities like healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation. Addressing this challenge is essential for achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring the well-being of future generations. The present study uses unit-level data from the last three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) (2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21) to develop the Multidimensional Child Deprivation Index (MCDI) in India. The MCDI includes health care, nutritional status, and hygiene, measured using the Alkire- Foster (2010) methodology. Our analysis shows that health care deprivation is the most significant contributor to MCDI, followed by nutritional status and hygiene. More than a third of Indian children remained multidimensionally deprived in 2019-21, despite a significant reduction of 19.5 percentage points since 2005-06. Rural areas witnessed a larger decline in MCDI, though disparities persist across caste and religious groups. The study identifies significant geographical variations in child deprivation, with states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Nagaland, and Meghalaya remaining at relatively high levels of deprivation. The study concludes that addressing multidimensional child deprivation requires targeted policies focusing on health care, nutrition, and hygiene, especially among rural, marginalized, and economically disadvantaged groups. Further research should focus on analyzing the long-term impact of specific policy measures on reducing multidimensional child deprivation in India.