Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The World Bank’s June 2024 Global Economic Prospects report revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6%, up from 6.4% in January. India is projected to remain the fastest-growing major economy in 2024-25. For 2025-26, the forecast increased to 6.7% from 6.5%. India’s economy grew by 8.2% in 2023-24, per the NSO. The Reserve Bank of India raised its 2024-25 forecast to 7.2%.

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The World Bank, in collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence, launched the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), utilizing data from 405 global ports, the largest dataset of its kind. Visakhapatnam Port achieved a notable ranking of 19 in this index, reflecting its efficiency and infrastructure quality in handling container traffic. This assessment provides insights into global port operations, aiding in strategic improvements for enhanced trade facilitation and logistics management.

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HelpAge India’s report, “Ageing in India: Exploring Preparedness & Response to Care Challenges,” was released on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15. Key findings include: 65% of elders are financially insecure, with 40% of illiterate elderly lacking income sources. Only 29% access social security schemes, and 15% are employed. Health-wise, 52% face daily living challenges, and 54% have multiple NCDs. Additionally, 59% lack digital device access, exacerbating isolation.

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The Sustainable Development Report 2024 reveals significant delays in achieving most 2015 SDG targets, such as reducing poverty and hunger. Published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, it highlights that only 16% of goals are on track for 2030. Released before the UN Summit of the Future, it proposes key UN reforms and introduces an index for UN-based multilateralism. Finland, Sweden, and Denmark lead the rankings, while vulnerable nations lag significantly.

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The ICIMOD’s Hindu Kush Himalaya snow update for 2024 reported record low snow persistence in India’s Ganga River basin, alongside similar challenges in the Brahmaputra and Indus basins. The HKH region spans eight countries and is crucial for Asia’s major river systems, supporting 1.9 billion people. It holds vast snow and glacier resources, essential for ecosystem services and downstream communities, making it pivotal for water supply across South and East Asia.

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) published a report titled “Aid for Trade in Action: Supporting the transition to clean energy,” emphasizing its Aid-for-Trade Initiative. Originating from the 2005 WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, the initiative aims to aid developing economies in joining global trade by addressing supply-side capacity and infrastructure constraints. It mobilizes financial resources to tackle trade-related challenges identified by developing and least developed countries.

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NITI Aayog has released the 4th edition of the SDG India Index 2023-24, assessing progress across 113 indicators for all States and Union Territories (UTs). India’s composite score improved from 66 in 2020-21 to 71 in 2023-24, with significant advancements in Goals 1, 8, and 13. Thirty-two States and UTs are classified as front-runners, while Uttarakhand and Kerala topped the list with scores of 79. Chandigarh is the leading Union Territory.

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) released “The Future of Financial Advice” report, highlighting the importance of traditional financial advisors despite the rise of finfluencers. Finfluencers, who provide financial advice via social media, influence many individuals’ financial decisions. Key reasons for their popularity include social media accessibility (used by 60% of the global population), diverse and inclusive content, and engaging educational formats like short videos and memes.

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The World Bank’s report “The Impact of Climate Change on Education” highlights how climate change intensifies extreme weather, disrupting schooling and causing learning losses and dropouts. Despite its significance, education remains overlooked in climate policy, with less than 1.3% of climate assistance allocated to it in 2020. Between 2005-2024, schools closed during 75% of extreme weather events, affecting over 5 million people. Over 99% of children globally face at least one major climate hazard. Rising temperatures negatively impact learning outcomes, with a 1°C increase reducing test scores. Climate change also threatens food security and economic stability, jeopardizing school enrollment and disproportionately affecting 4 million girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

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India ranks 39th in the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index by the World Economic Forum, up from an adjusted 38th in 2021. The country’s scores improved in travel prioritization, safety, and health. In 2022, India had 14.3 million international tourists, 1.47% of the global market, and 15.66% in Asia-Pacific. The Ministry of Tourism promotes India domestically and internationally through integrated marketing and participation in travel fairs.