COVID-19: Highest losses in labour income, education, says U.N. report

The regional group that India belongs to is likely to see the highest COVID-19-related losses in labour income and education within the Asia-Pacific, according to the United Nations’ latest assessment of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the impact of the pandemic. It’s also seeing a rise in inequality which is unique to the region, according to the report released on Tuesday.

India is the largest country in the South and South West Asia (SSWA) grouping, which also includes the SAARC nations, Iran and Turkey. The group is not on target to reach any of the SDGs, and is seeing actual regression on the goals related to reduced inequalities, peace, justice and strong institutions, sustainable cities, climate action and marine life. It has made significant progress on poverty, hunger and health goals, but still needs to accelerate action in these areas to meet 2030 targets. Among the areas listed for urgent course correction include migrant deaths and disappearances, human trafficking, unsentenced detainees, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. “Inequalities are rising in the SSWA. In fact, it is the only sub-region where we are seeing regression in this goal,” said Nagesh Kumar, director of the regional office of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) which produced the report. This is backed up by NITI Aayog’s own assessment of India’s SDG progress, which showed a growing inequality gap nationwide between its 2018 and 2019 Indices.