India’s health budget spend fourth lowest globally: Oxfam report

News: Oxfam has released a report titled “Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index,2020”.

Facts:

• About the index: The index ranks 158 countries measuring their policies and actions in three areas that it said are proven to be directly related to reducing inequality:
  • Public services(health, education and social protection) 
  • Taxation and 
  • Workers rights.

Key Takeaways:

• Topped by: The index has been topped by Norway followed by Denmark and Germany.
• India: It has been ranked 129 overall in the index.
  • Public Services: In terms of its public services such as health, education and social protection,India has been ranked 141.
  • Taxation: In terms of taxation, India has been ranked 19th in the index.
  • Workers Rights: India has fared poorly in protecting labour rights and has slipped to rank 151.
• Other Facts Related to India: 
  • India has spent just 4% of its budget on health going into the pandemic — fourth lowest in the world.
  • Only half of India’s population have access to even the most essential health services while over 70% of health spending is being met by people themselves. 
  • Most workers earn less than half of the minimum wage.Further, only around 10% of the workforce in India is formal with safe working conditions and social security.