Uttarakhand's Economic Survey Reflects Strong Growth Trajectory
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has stated that the positive figures from the state's Economic Survey are a direct result of the government's unwavering commitment to sustainable development and effective governance. He emphasized that progress across various sectors demonstrates Uttarakhand's rapid advancement on the path to prosperity.
Key Economic Indicators Show Substantial Improvement
According to Principal Secretary Dr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, who presented the findings during a press briefing at the Secretariat Media Centre, Uttarakhand's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2024-25 reached Rs 3,81,889 crore. This marks a significant increase from Rs 2.54 lakh crore in 2021-22, representing growth of more than one and a half times. Per capita income also saw a notable rise, climbing from Rs 1,94,670 in 2021-22 to Rs 2,73,921 in 2024-25.
The Economic Survey, prepared in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), reveals a growth rate of 7.23 percent for 2024-25. Additionally, the Multidimensional Poverty Index declined from 9.7 percent in 2021-22 to 6.92 percent in 2024-25, indicating improved living standards.
Employment and Human Development Metrics on the Rise
Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 60.1 percent in 2021-22 to 64.4 percent in 2024-25, reflecting a 4.3 percent rise in employment participation. The Human Development Index (HDI) has shown steady improvement, rising from 0.247 in 2001 to 0.684 in 2017, 0.718 in 2021-22, and 0.722 in 2024-25.
MSMEs and Startups Experience Exponential Growth
The number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Uttarakhand increased from 59,798 in 2021-22 to 79,394 in 2024-25. Employment under MSMEs rose from 3,43,922 in 2022 to 4,56,605 in 2025. Large industries also saw growth, with numbers increasing from 107 in 2021-22 to 128 in 2024-25.
Startups have emerged as a particularly vibrant sector. From zero startups until 2017, the count rose to 702 in 2021-22 and further surged to 1,750 in 2024-25, showcasing the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Infrastructure and Education Advancements
Infrastructure development has been robust, with total road length increasing from 50,393 km in 2021-22 to 51,278 km in 2024-25. Heliports grew from 2 in 2022 to 7 in 2025, while helipads expanded from 60 to 118 during the same period.
In education, the dropout rate in primary schools declined from 1.64 percent to 1.41 percent, and in secondary schools, it reduced from 7.65 percent to 4.59 percent. The number of government and private degree colleges increased from 124 to 139, and engineering colleges saw a substantial rise from 20 to 52.
Energy and Health Sectors Show Remarkable Progress
Electricity generation skyrocketed from 5,157 million units in 2021-22 to 16,500 million units in 2024-25, with consumption rising from 12,518 million units to 17,192 million units. Solar power generation more than doubled, increasing from 439 MW to 1,027 MW.
Health indicators improved significantly, with the Infant Mortality Rate declining from 22 to 20 and the Maternal Mortality Rate decreasing from 103 to 91. Life expectancy increased from 71.7 years to 73 years.
Agriculture and Tourism Flourish
Agricultural productivity saw gains, with rice and wheat production increasing from 28.23 quintals per hectare to 32.47 quintals per hectare. The area under medicinal and aromatic plants expanded dramatically from 900 hectares to 10,000 hectares.
Milk production rose from 50.92 lakh litres per day to 54.59 lakh litres per day, while fish production increased from 7,325 tonnes per year to 10,487 tonnes per year.
In tourism, hotels and accommodation units grew from 8,225 to 10,509, and homestays increased from 3,935 to 6,161, highlighting the sector's vitality.
State Achievements and Future Projections
Uttarakhand ranked 4th in the SDG Index in 2021-22 and improved to 1st place in 2023-24, underscoring its commitment to sustainable development goals. The state's GSDP growth for 2026-27 is estimated at 8.2 percent, indicating continued economic momentum.
CM Dhami attributed these achievements to the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the state government's focus on employment generation, investment promotion, and public welfare to make Uttarakhand self-reliant and prosperous.
