economy and politics

2024: India’s year in indices

Aakar Patel

In 2021, I wrote a book titled The price of the Modi years. In one of its chapters I compared India’s rankings in various global indices that I have been tracking over the years to see if they have improved, stayed the same or worsened since 2014. I periodically review this data to see if India has risen, fallen or maintained his position. Today’s column analyzes some of the most relevant indices at the end of 2024.

The United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index assesses life expectancy at birth, education and national income. In 2014, India was ranked 130th, and is currently at 134th, dropping four places. The Democracy Index The Economist Intelligence Unit evaluates civil liberties, pluralism, political culture, participation and the electoral process in nations. In 2014, India was ranked 27th and today it is at 47th, a drop of 20 positions, and is now classified as a “flawed democracy”.

The CIVICUS Monitor rates the national civic space, evaluating the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression. In 2017, India was listed as a place where these freedoms were “Obstructed.” Currently, its rating has fallen to “Repressed,” noting that “the deterioration of civic space in India is alarming.”

According to the Lowy Institute, India lost its “Great Power” status by falling below the 40-point threshold in 2020 and further falling in 2021 and 2022. In 2024, India remains below 40 points.

Freedom House’s “Freedom in the World” index examines the rule of law, political pluralism, elections, the functioning of government, civil liberties, freedom of expression, association and individual rights. In 2014, India had a score of 77/100 and was classified as “Free”. Today, its score is 66/100 and it is classified as “Partially Free” for various reasons.

The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index ranks countries based on their criminal and civil justice system, fundamental rights, limitations on government power, freedom from corruption, government transparency, order and security, and the application of regulations. In 2014, India was ranked 66th, but fell to 77th in 2022 and 79th in 2024, with weaknesses in fundamental rights and the criminal justice system.

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s World Happiness Report assesses GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make decisions, generosity, perceptions of corruption and dystopia . India dropped from 111th in 2014 to 126th. The reasons include a “large and steady decline in life evaluations,” a low optimistic outlook (2020), and a “long-term decline in life evaluations in India” ( 2021).

The Fraser Institute’s Global Index of Economic Freedom analyzes the size of government, legal structure, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation of credit, labor and business. Here, India’s ranking has improved, rising from 112th in 2014 to 84th.

Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index monitors media independence, pluralism, self-censorship, abuses and transparency. India has fallen from 140th in 2014 (already a low position) to 159th today.

The World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law Index assesses laws and regulations that limit women’s economic opportunities in areas such as mobility, workplace, salary, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets and pensions. India dropped from 111th in 2014 to 113rd.

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index analyzes corruption in the public sector. India fell from 85th in 2014 to 93rd.

The Heritage Foundation’s Global Index of Economic Freedom assesses the rule of law, the size of government, regulatory efficiency, and open markets. India was ranked 120th in 2014 and has fallen to 126th. Reasons cited include “large-scale political corruption,” “little evidence that anti-corruption laws are effective,” “foundations for long-term economic development remain fragile.” without a functional legal framework” and “the rule of law in India is weak.”

The International Food Policy Research Institute’s Global Hunger Index assesses hunger, child stunting and malnutrition. India was ranked 55th out of 76 nations in 2014 and is now 105th out of 127. More than 13% of Indians are malnourished, 37% of children under five are stunted (low height for age ) and 18% are in a state of acute malnutrition (low weight for height).

India has rejected the findings of the hunger index, arguing that they are flawed and do not reflect the true situation of the country. However, the fact is that the government itself estimates that 60% of Indians need free rations on a monthly basis.

Similarly, the government has rejected declines in other indices as motivated, biased or based on flawed data. In some cases, it has even stopped responding to certain indices, something that did not happen at the beginning of this administration, when it was assumed that things would improve.

When India rose in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first term, it was celebrated as an achievement of good governance. This index was discontinued after it was discovered that some countries were manipulating the system to improve their positions in 2018. My broader point is this: those who have been watching the numbers for over a decade can only conclude that there has been a pullback in key related indicators. with governance.

Note: this is an article republished from “The Wire” through a cooperation agreement between both parties for the dissemination of journalistic content. original link.


Aakar Patel is an Indian journalist, activist and author. He served as Amnesty International India Director between 2015 and 2019, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Amnesty International India.

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