Subject - Economic and Social Development
Chapter - Important Indices

Global Hunger Index

• The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a multidimensional statistical tool used to describe the state of countries’ hunger situation. The Index is developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington. Irish NGO Concern Worldwide joined the group as co-publisher later. India has been ranked 67, below neighbouring countries like China and Pakistan.
• The index rated 81 countries on the basis of three leading indicators- prevalence of child malnutrition, rate of child mortality, and the proportion of people who are calorie deficient.

Global Gender Gap Index 2011

• According to the Global Gender Gap report issued by World Economic Forum, India is ranked 113 out of total 135 countries. Iceland topped the Global Gender Gap rankings showing greatest equality between men and women, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and New Zealand respectively. Yemen was last in the list at 135.
• The Global Gender Gap Report assesses 135 countries on how well they divide resources and opportunities amongst male and female populations. Gap is measured in the areas of economic participation and port unity, educational attainment, political empowerment, and health and survival.

Innovation Index

• The Global Innovation Index is a barometer of the countries’ wealth, knowledge and competitiveness.
• Switzerland stood number one followed by Sweden and Singapore. The countries listed in the top 10 are the developed nations.
• The methodology involves rating the countries on 5 inputs for getting 3 outputs. Based on the score of the outputs the ranking of the countries is decided.
• In the 2011 Global Innovation Index report, India is ranked 62.
• India started to liberalise its economy only recently. New India or India 2.0 is only 19 years old if we start counting from 1991. Since then India grappled with expanding economy remarkably well.

Global Competitiveness Index 2011-12

• India has slipped to 56th from the 51st spot in the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2011-2012 among 139 countries rated for institutions, policies, and factors that determine the level of productivity.

• The top ten ranked countries have retained their spots since 2009. While Switzerland is first for the third consecutive year, Singapore is second and Sweden is at the third spot.

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