Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Asian Development Bank’s report on Aging well in Asia highlights four vital aspects of older persons’ well-being: health, productive work, economic security, and social engagement. It reveals that developing Asia faces rapid aging, with the older population set to almost double to 25.2% by 2050. India’s challenges include low health insurance coverage (21%) for older individuals and heavy reliance (80%–90%) on private income and assets for retirement.

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The 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime revealed rhinos and cedars as the most trafficked species from 2015-2021. Established in 1997, the UNODC combats drug abuse, trafficking, and crime worldwide. It strengthens international cooperation, promotes crime prevention, and aids criminal justice reform to combat transnational organized crime and corruption.

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The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released the 2024 Asia-Pacific Employment and Social Outlook report. Key highlights include an improved Employment to Population Ratio (EPR) in the region at 58.2% (2023), with Indian women contributing significantly. India faces an aging population, with the old age dependency ratio projected to increase from 0.10 to 0.22 by 2050. Accelerated productivity growth is crucial for India to achieve high-income status by 2050, with 76% of manufacturers reporting skilled labor shortages.

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The WHO and STOP released the “Hooking the Next Generation: How the Tobacco Industry Captures Young Customers” report on World No Tobacco Day, May 31. Key findings include that 37 million children aged 13-15 use tobacco globally, and 85% of 15-30-year-olds were exposed to e-cigarette ads. E-cigarettes produce nicotine-laden aerosol, an addictive substance.

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The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2024 reveals a 12.2% rise in India’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023, totaling 3.589 million. Globally, HNWI wealth grew 4.7% to $86.8 trillion, with a 5.1% increase in the HNWI population to 22.8 million. India’s HNWI financial wealth rose by 12.4% to $1,445.7 billion. Key drivers include a resilient economy, robust equity markets, a lower unemployment rate, and increased market capitalization and national savings.

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UNICEF’s “Child Nutrition Report, 2024” highlights severe child food poverty (CFP) affecting 27% of children globally. In India, 40% suffer from severe CFP, the second highest in South Asia. Key issues include the prevalence of unhealthy foods, indicating that income alone isn’t the cause. Contributing factors are inequities, conflict, climate crises, and food marketing. Recommendations include improving data systems, transforming food systems, and enhancing health services for child nutrition.

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At least 49 migrants died and 140 others went missing after a boat capsized off Yemen’s coast, the U.N. migration agency reported on June 11. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951 and headquartered in Geneva, aids governments and migrants. With 175 member states, it focuses on migration health, emergency operations, migration development, and counter-trafficking, publishing the World Migration Report and Migration Health Annual Report.

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The UNEP report “Raising Ambition, Accelerating Action: Towards Enhanced NDCs for Forests” highlights significant gaps in forest protection in current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). From 2019-2023, tropical deforestation emitted 5.6 billion tonnes of CO2 annually in the top 20 countries. Only 8 countries have quantified deforestation targets, and just 38% of UNFCCC Parties include forest conversion reduction measures. Agriculture and weak land-use policies are major deforestation drivers.

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India dropped to 129th place on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap index, with Iceland maintaining the top spot. In South Asia, India ranks fifth, trailing Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Pakistan ranks last globally. Economically, India, along with Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, and Morocco, exhibits low gender parity. The WEF estimates it will take 134 years to achieve full gender parity at the current pace, with a 68.5% gap closure globally.

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In India’s new cabinet, only two out of 30 ministers are women, down from 10 previously. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum underscores global gender disparities. Iceland leads as the most gender-equal country for the 14th year, with India ranking 129th. India’s slight decline in the index reflects setbacks in educational attainment and political empowerment, despite marginal improvements in economic participation and opportunity.