Demographic Advantage

With a population of 41.9 Mn people, accounting for 3.47% of the country's total, Odisha has an urbanisation rate of 16.7% as per the 2011 Census. According to PLFS 2022–23, Odisha has a worker population ratio of 63.8% for the 15- to 59-year-old age group, higher than the national average of 59.5%, and a labour force participation rate of 66.6% for the same age group, and both numbers have shown a significant rise in recent years.  There are 979 females for every 1,000 males, which is along the lines of the national average.

Healthcare Facilities

The state government prioritises the quality of life and well-being of its citizens and aims to improve their access to basic health amenities.  With drastic improvements to health services and infrastructure, the state's life expectancy has increased to 70.3 years, performing better than the neighbouring states. Public healthcare facilities in Odisha include 32 district hospitals, 33 sub-divisional hospitals, 384 community health centres, 1,379 primary health centres, 6,688 sub-centres, 619 ayurvedic dispensaries, and 561 homoeopathic dispensaries.

Besides, the state government has launched a scheme of free drug services (Niramaya), in which approximately 750 types of essential drugs are being provided free of cost to all categories of patients in public health facilities. Additionally, under the Nidaan scheme, free diagnostic services are provided at all public health facilities as per the level of care, which includes high-end pathology tests, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and general pathology tests. The state is also home to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, to offer quality amenities for the timely treatment of diseases.

Educational Facilities

The state government, through its policy interventions and efforts, is leading the adoption and implementation of SDGs related to education, promoting quality and equitable education in the state. The literacy rate of the state stands at 72.9%, and the state has been making strides in imparting primary education with the reduction in the gender gap literacy rate to 17.6% in 2011. In 2020-21, the gross enrollment ratio and net enrollment ratio have been recorded at 92.26% and 83.06%, respectively.

With 35,928 primary and 20,427 upper primary schools and over 66,00,000 enrolled students, the state government is working towards the universalisation of elementary education. Additionally, the state boasts prestigious institutions such as IIT Bhubaneshwar, IIM Sambalpur, and the Xavier Institute of Management. Additionally, as a mineral hub, the state is home to the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, which supports academic research and education in minerals.

The state also offers various vocational courses aimed at skill enhancement. To this end, two centres of excellence, including one on artificial intelligence and machine learning, were established.  To serve as a launchpad for new ideas and innovation, science innovation hubs in schools instil young minds with new techniques and innovative ideas.

Technology & Advancement

Odisha has made remarkable progress in the field of technology and innovation, with the Odisha Space Application Centre promoting the use and application of space technology in developmental planning in the state, as well as Paddy-GIS, GIS mapping, and analysis of cadastral information at plot level to enhance the agricultural output and pricing mechanism.

Through the introduction of State IT Policy, Data Centre Policy, and Electronics Policy, Odisha aims to be among the top states dispensing various IT services to the country. In line with the Government of Odisha's 5T vision of governance, the state government has also launched Go-Sugam, India's first kind of single-window platform for farmers and agri-preneurs, leveraging technology and fostering teamwork in the agricultural segment through digital availability of services. Attracting investments in the manufacturing of electronics system design, a dedicated electronic manufacturing cluster has also been established.

Infrastructure Details

Only 6 hours away from 50% of the world economy, the strategic location of the state makes Odisha a gateway to the ASEAN regions. It serves as a significant hub for trade, accommodating both passenger and freight movements, and its diverse mobility modes connect the state to major cities throughout the nation. Odisha has a road length of over 300,000 km, enabling transit for a major chunk of the population.

Spanning across 25 districts of the state, the state had 2,859 km of railway lines as of 2021–22. With a coastline of 480 km, Odisha is a principal maritime state with an expanding and well-equipped port capacity. The state is home to the largest dry bulk handling port in India, Paradip Port, which is also the 8th largest major port in the country, facilitating port-led industrialisation in the region along with Dhamra Port. In addition, Odisha has 14 potential sites for minor port development. Odisha has one international airport and two domestic airports in addition to 13 heliports in the state.

Sustainability Initiatives

Keeping with sustainable development, the Government of Odisha has developed the Odisha SDG Indicator Framework, comprising 311 indicators to monitor the progress of the state in terms of achievement of SDGs. Furthermore, training and workshops are organised periodically to build capacity among the states and districts.

The state provides a wide range of untapped opportunities for energy transition and switching to alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, etc. The state's policy on renewable energy also aims to maximise the development of renewable energy infrastructure. The Konark Solarisation project aims to transform Konark into a solar and net-zero town by establishing solar charging stations and solar-powered drinking water kiosks, thereby demonstrating the state's commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

The state was also a pioneer in formulating a state action plan on climate change in 2010.