The Human Development Report of 1990 clubbed Bihar with the world's six most-underdeveloped countries - all in Africa.
With a per capita income growth close to zero in the last decade, the situation has only deteriorated since.
Bihar stands at the bottom of the nation's socio-economic ladder. An average Bihari's annual income is Rs 3,650 - the lowest in the country, nearly half that of an average Oriya's Rs 6,531 and just one-third of the national average of Rs 11,625.
Per Capita Gross Domestic Product »
More than 42 per cent of its population lives below the poverty line, much higher than the national average of 26 per cent.
But its per capita development expenditure - Rs 3,206 - is the lowest in the country, less than half the national average of Rs 6,748.
Per Capita Development Expenditure »
In spite of having poor infrastructure, Bihar's per capita expenditure on roads and bridges is a minuscule Rs 44.6 annually (national average: Rs 118).
In spite of annual floods that take a huge toll on life, property and agriculture, Bihar spends a paltry Rs 104.4 per capita on irrigation and flood control (national average: Rs 200).
{{/usCountry}}In spite of annual floods that take a huge toll on life, property and agriculture, Bihar spends a paltry Rs 104.4 per capita on irrigation and flood control (national average: Rs 200).
{{/usCountry}}The per capita expenditure on medical and health facilities is Rs 86 (national average: Rs 157).
Though there are disparities in development within Bihar, all its districts are under-developed in the larger picture.
A recent ranking of India's 569 districts by the National Population Commission on a composite index of socio-demographic progress placed all of Bihar's 37 districts below 300.