India has slipped two positions from the previous year rank in the Human Development Index (HDI) 2020 released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The country is ranked 131 in the list of 189 countries. It was ranked 129 in 2019. The key parameters that are taken for preparing this index are average age, education and income in a country.
This time, UNDP inducted a new metric to assess the impact caused per-capita carbon emissions by each country and its material footprint, which measures the amount of fossil fuels, metals and other resources used to make the goods and services it consumes.
Also read: What are the 10 healthy habits I should work on to have a positive life?
Who tops the list?
The index put Norway at the first position, Ireland is at second place and Switzerland is third in the list. The index gives score to countries on a scale of 0 to 1, where 0 is for ideal worst and 1 is for ideal best. The HDI value of India has been kept at 0.645 in this report. Norway’s HDI value of number is 0.957. The neighbouring countries Sri Lanka and China are ahead of us. On the other hand, Pakistan has fallen two places from last time.
According to the Human Development Report, the life expectancy of Indians in the year 2019 was 69.7 years. It was 72.6 years in Bangladesh and 67.3 years in Pakistan. According to the report, Bhutan was ranked 129, Bangladesh ranked 133, Nepal ranked 142 and Pakistan ranked 154 in the index.
Also read: Empty Bowls: India Ranks 94 Among 107 Countries In Global Hunger Index 2020
Norway topped the index followed by Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Iceland. UNDP Resident Representative Shoko Noda told reporters that ‘the decline in India’s ranking does not mean that India did not do well, but it means that other countries have done better’.
Noda said that India can help other countries. He also praised India’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. According to the report released on Tuesday by the UNDP, India’s gross national income per capita in 2018 was US $6,829 based on purchasing power parity (PPP) which fell to $6,681 in 2019.
Important facts regarding India
Due to increasing financial security, ownership of land, the situation of women has shown improvement. Violence against women decreased and their social prestige has increased. But malnutrition is found most among the children of tribal community. Due to this, stunting and wasting is prevalent among children and there is no physical growth commensurately with their age. Parents are reducing the expenses for their girls when income decreases.
Also read: The unhealthiest foods that are harmful to the body
On the brighter side, India scored fifth in solar power capacity. In 2008, India started the Climate Change National Action Plan, and had set a target of reducing energy requirements on fossil fuels by 35 percent by 2030. The report stated that by July 2019, India started generating 30 GW of solar power. India is four years ahead of his target of reducing carbon emission. It is ranked fifth in solar generating capacity.