Despite having a similar population at independence, China surged ahead by investing in health, education, and skills, while India underinvested in human capital

China and India Comparison

• Similar Starting Point: At the time of India’s independence, China and India had similar population sizes.
• China’s Strategic Investments: China prioritized health, education, and skill infrastructure, creating a strong foundation for economic growth.
• India’s Missed Opportunity: India focused on discussions about its demographic dividend but lacked adequate investment in human capital.
• Skilled vs. Underutilized Workforce: China developed a well-trained and healthy workforce, while India struggled to fully capitalize on its population potential.
• Criticism: Critics argued China lacks democracy & free press, but many Indians supported the view that China invested in key developmental areas, unlike India.

• Investment in Human Capital: India must prioritize education, healthcare, and nutrition to compete with China and the global economy. 
  • The lack of investment in human resource development weakens India’s future workforce.

Challenges Associated with India

• Poor Education: Poor school infrastructure leads to low literacy & numeracy levels among Indian students. Studies show many children finish school without basic reading, writing, or arithmetic skills.
  • For ex: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) has consistently highlighted serious learning gaps in India’s education system. According to recent ASER findings, a significant percentage of 10th-standard students in India struggle to read textbooks meant for 5th-standard students.
  • ASER 2024 findings indicate that 70% of Class 5 students still struggle with basic division, with only 30% achieving proficiency.
• Child Malnutrition: 38% of Indian children under six are stunted, and 17% are underweight, with some categorized as ‘wasted’. Midday meal schemes have helped but are insufficient in addressing malnutrition.
  • In the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 105th out of 127 countries. The country has a GHI score of 27.3, which is categorized as “serious” hunger. 
• AI Challenge: As AI competes with human intelligence, most Indian graduates remain unemployable due to a lack of necessary skills.
• Illegal Migration: Desperate youth migrate illegally, paying human traffickers to escape bleak job prospects. Many Indians face deportation from the US and exploitation in scam factories in Southeast Asia.
• Policy Imbalance: PM Modi emphasizes both ‘virasat’ (heritage) and ‘vikas’ (development), but in practice, heritage receives more focus. BJP leaders prioritize culture, while concrete plans for making India a developed nation by 2047 remain unclear.
• Ineffective Policy: While the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was introduced as a transformative framework, its implementation has been ineffective
• Governance Failures: Infrastructure development (roads, ports, airports) has been remarkable under Modi. However, state governments have failed in delivering essential services like education, healthcare, and nutrition.
• Poor Human Resource: Global manufacturers and investors favor East Asia over India due to superior human resource development and business-friendly ecosystems.
  • Unlike India, East Asian countries have made consistent investments in education, healthcare, and workforce skills, creating a more attractive environment for businesses.

Way Forward

• Investment in Vocational Training: The Chinese government has implemented policies to promote vocational education, aiming to align the workforce’s skills with market demands.
• Dual Education System: Germany’s dual education system effectively integrates theoretical learning with practical experience.  
  • Students split their time between vocational schools and on-the-job training within companies, ensuring a balance of academic knowledge and practical skills.

Conclusion

A dictatorship is not the solution—India needs better governance and policy shifts. Leaders must focus on domestic development rather than just showcasing India’s youth population on global platforms.