Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) releases the Gender Inequality Index (GII) in their Human Development Report. The 2022 GII was released on March 13, 2024, and shows that India has improved its ranking by 14 ranks from 2021 to 2022. India’s rank is 108 out of 193 countries with a score of 0.437. The GII measures gender inequalities based on three aspects of human development, including reproductive health. The index ranges from 0, where women and men fare equally, to 1, where one gender fares as poorly as possible in all measured dimensions.

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According to the 2024 DHL Global Connectedness Report, India ranks 62nd out of 171 countries on the DHL Connectedness Index. This is a 5-position improvement from the previous year, when India ranked 67th. The report ranks countries based on their connectedness to the world through the flow of trade, capital, information, and people. The report also says that India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and that it will play an increasingly central role in the development of globalization over the coming decades.

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Delhi was labeled as the world’s most polluted capital city in the 2023 World Air Quality Report by Swiss Organization IQAir. India ranked third in air quality with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 µg/m³. Bangladesh and Pakistan were worse off, while Bihar’s Begusarai was named the most polluted metropolitan area. Ten of the top 11 polluted cities were Indian, with Lahore being the only exception. 96% of India’s population faces PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines.

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In the 2024 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations on March 20th, Finland claimed the title of the happiest country for the seventh year in a row. The report highlights Finland’s consistent high levels of happiness, affirming its status as a global leader in well-being. According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, India ranks 126th out of 146 countries, this is the same as last year. India’s neighbors, however, rank higher than India, with China ranked 60th, Nepal ranked 93rd, Pakistan ranked 108th, Myanmar ranked 118th, Sri Lanka ranked 128th, and Bangladesh ranked 129th.

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In 2023, India ranked as the 3rd most polluted country globally, per the World Air Quality Report by Swiss company IQAir. Drawing data from 30,000+ air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, only 10 met the WHO’s clean air standard. French Polynesia, Mauritius, and Iceland had the cleanest air, while India trailed behind Pakistan and Bangladesh in pollution levels.

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The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released the Global E-waste Monitor 2024 report in March 2024. The report states that the world’s generation of electronic waste is growing five times faster than the amount that is documented to be recycled. The report also states that 62 million tonnes of electronic waste is generated annually globally, which has increased by 82 percent since 2010. The report is a reference tool for policymakers and industry that shows the world’s position on the global e-waste challenge. The report also warns of a pending global e-waste disaster.

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The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a Global Trade Update report noting a 14% increase in India’s services exports in 2023, while goods exports fell by 6%. It anticipates a global trade rebound in 2024. However, logistical challenges like shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and Black Sea may escalate costs and disrupt supply chains. Established in 1964, UNCTAD serves as the primary authority of the UN General Assembly in trade and development matters.

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Released by the Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) and WinZO, the report highlights India’s dominance in gaming. With 568 million users, India leads as the largest gaming market globally, projected to hit $6 billion by 2028. The industry’s growth is evident, with Indian gaming companies soaring from 25 in 2015 to over 1400 in 2023. MeitY oversees gaming regulations, facilitating 100% FDI and initiatives like the Draft National AVGC Policy and National AVGC Centre of Excellence.

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The “Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2024,” released by UNESCAP, is a flagship publication providing insights into the region’s economic trends. Established in 1947, UNESCAP serves as a platform for governments to address socio-economic issues and foster regional cooperation. With 53 member states and 9 associate members, including India, it highlights India’s robust economic growth in 2023, driven by domestic consumption and infrastructure investments, amid limited external exposure.

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The IMF’s Fiscal Monitor warns against relying solely on industrial policy initiatives to spur economic growth in the US, Europe, and beyond. Released biannually by the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, it offers insights into public finance trends, fiscal outlooks, and policy implications for the global economy. Projections, aligned with the World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report, are crafted by IMF desk economists following WEO guidelines.