India (Republic of India)

India Republic of India
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	96th best
Capital	New Delhi
Land Area	2 973 190km21
Location	Asia
Population	1.4b2
Life Expectancy	67.24yrs (2017)3
GNI	$6 590 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	IN, IND, 3565
Internet Domain	.in6
Currency	Rupee (INR)7
Telephone	+918

1. Overview
2. India National and Social Development
3. India's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. India's Health
6. India's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. India's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. History
13. Links

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1. Overview

#india #pakistan

Ninety years of British rule of India from 1858 came to an end in 1947, after several years of commendably peaceful resistance₉ led by Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru₁₀.

“Large-scale communal violence took place before and after the subcontinent partition into two separate states - India and Pakistan. [...] India's nuclear weapons tests in 1998 emboldened Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. In November 2008, terrorists originating from Pakistan conducted a series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital. Despite pressing problems such as significant overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption, economic growth following the launch of economic reforms in 1991 and a massive youthful population are driving India's emergence as a regional and global power.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₁₀

“India bristles with a mind-stirring mix of landscapes and cultural traditions. Your journey through this intoxicating country will blaze in your memory long after you´ve left its shores. From the snow-dusted mountains of the far north to the sun-washed beaches of the deep south, India´s dramatic terrain is breathtaking. Along with abundant natural beauties, exquisitely carved temples rise out of deserts and crumbling old fortresses peer over plunging ravines. Aficionados of the great outdoors can scout for big jungle cats on wildlife safaris, paddle in the waters of one of many beautiful beaches, take blood-pumping treks high in the Himalaya, or simply inhale pine-scented air on meditative forest walks. [...]

The multitude of sacred sites and time-honoured rituals are testament to the country´s long, colourful and sometimes tumultuous religious history. And then there are the festivals! India hosts some of the world´s most spectacular devotional celebrations - from city parades celebrating auspicious events on the religious calendar to simple harvest fairs that pay homage to a locally worshipped deity.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₁

2. India National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better Value12
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
129	Bangladesh	0.661
130	Tuvalu	0.641
131	Marshall Islands	0.639
132	India	0.633
133	Ghana	0.632
134	Micronesia	0.628
135	Guatemala	0.627
136	Kiribati	0.624
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $12
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
124	Swaziland	$7 679
125	Morocco	$7 303
126	Tonga	$6 822
127	India	$6 590
128	Palestine	$6 583
129	Tuvalu	$6 351
130	Belize	$6 309
131	Cape Verde	$6 230
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index13
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank13
1	Denmark	24.9
2	Norway	25.3
3	Sweden	27.7
	...
93	Russia	87.0
94	Kazakhstan	87.5
95	St Lucia	87.6
96	India	88.4
97	Cuba	88.4
98	Philippines	88.7
99	Dominican Rep.	88.7
100	Kyrgyzstan	89.7
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.9
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. India's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

India's population is predicted to rise to 1 523.48 million by 2030. These millions of extra people will all need space to live, food to eat, energy to consume, and will increase the burden on the planet's resources. This country has a fertility rate of 2.01. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
4	Indonesia	267.7m
5	Pakistan	212.2m
6	Brazil	209.5m
7	Nigeria	195.9m
8	Bangladesh	161.4m
9	Russia	145.7m
10	Japan	127.2m
11	Mexico	126.2m
12	Ethiopia	109.2m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
135	Indonesia	67.6
136	Kiribati	67.4
137	India	67.2
138	Fiji	67.1
139	Senegal	67.1
140	Eritrea	66.5
141	Tanzania	66.2
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
4	India	2.01
5	Belize	1.99
6	Grenada	1.99
7	New Caledonia	2.02
8	Sri Lanka	1.97
9	Faroe Islands	2.05
10	Bangladesh	1.95
11	Vietnam	1.94
12	Georgia	2.06
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better16
Pos.		2016 Per 10016
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
85	Kyrgyzstan	12.1
86	Indonesia	12.4
87=	Myanmar (Burma)	12.5
87=	India	12.5
89	Bolivia	12.7
90	Nicaragua	13.1
91	Paraguay	13.2
92	Iran	13.4
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants17
Pos.		2017 %17
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
174	Honduras	0.4%
175	Solomon Islands	0.4%
176	Papua New Guinea	0.4%
177	India	0.4%
178	Afghanistan	0.4%
179	Haiti	0.4%
180	Brazil	0.4%
181	Eritrea	0.3%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants18
Pos.		2010 %18
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
174	Indonesia	1.1%
175	Myanmar (Burma)	1.0%
176	Solomon Islands	1.0%
177	India	0.9%
178	Papua New Guinea	0.9%
179	USA	0.8%
180	Namibia	0.7%
181	Ethiopia	0.7%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #blasphemy #equality #free_speech #freedom #gender_equality #hinduism_extremism #human_rights #india #india_antisemitism #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
104	Thailand	90.0
105	Guyana	90.6
106	Ghana	92.3
107	India	93.0
108	Nicaragua	93.2
109	Tunisia	95.2
	Asia Avg	103.0
	World Avg	86.6
q=199.

India is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. India does better than average in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₀, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₁, its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought₂₂. But, things could still be better. India does worse than average in terms of supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₃, opposing gender inequality₂₄, eliminating modern slavery₂₅, LGBT equality₂₆, supporting press freedom₂₇ and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₈. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 for the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₉. The constitution gives some protections for freedom of religion but some states and some laws create restrictions that create unfair legal prejudices towards, or against, certain religious groups_30,31 and Hindu extremism has become 'an impediment to the exercise and enjoyment of internationally recognized human rights'₃₂. Abuses committed by security forces persisted including allegations of torture, extrajudicial killings, notably in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu and Kashmir₃₃.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in India

5. India's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #india #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1=	Japan	44.1
2	Hong Kong	48.2
3	Singapore	49.5
	...
28	Indonesia	93.4
29	Saudi Arabia	94.9
30	Myanmar (Burma)	94.9
31	India	96.5
32	Oman	97.7
33	Bhutan	98.6
34	Kyrgyzstan	100.5
35	Turkmenistan	102.7
36	Palestine	104.6
	Asia Avg	80.9
q=50.

Health (2025)34
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank34
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
113	Jamaica	95.4
114	Panama	95.6
115	St Lucia	96.0
116	India	96.5
117	Fiji	96.7
118	Oman	97.7
119	Mexico	98.0
120	Libya	98.0
	World Avg	96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₅. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₅.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₅, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₅.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

India does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. India comes in the best 20 in its fertility rate₁₅ (one of the best in Asia). It does better than average when it comes to its smoking rate₃₆ (one of the lowest in Asia), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₇, its adolescent birth rate₃₈ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₉ (but bad for Asia). India still has work to do. India does worse than average in its suicide rate₄₀, its average life expectancy₁₂ and in its immunizations take-up₄₁. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in India improved by +12.3yrs in the 30 years from 1990, much better than the global average of +7.9yrs. India's peak fertility rate was 5.98 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
134	Sao Tome & Principe	67.6
135	Indonesia	67.6
136	Kiribati	67.4
137	India	67.2
138	Fiji	67.1
139	Senegal	67.1
140	Eritrea	66.5
141	Tanzania	66.2
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better39
Pos.		2016 Per Capita39
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
84	Armenia	5.5
85	Venezuela	5.6
86=	Sierra Leone	5.7
86=	India	5.7
86=	Cape Verde	5.7
89	Liberia	5.8
90=	Haiti	5.8
90=	Colombia	5.8
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
4	India	2.01
5	Belize	1.99
6	Grenada	1.99
7	New Caledonia	2.02
8	Sri Lanka	1.97
9	Faroe Islands	2.05
10	Bangladesh	1.95
11	Vietnam	1.94
12	Georgia	2.06
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better36
Pos.		201436
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
21	Liberia	104
22	Niger	105
23	Sao Tome & Principe	111
24	India	111
25	Eritrea	114
26	Haiti	114
27	Peru	116
28	Somalia	117
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate40
Pos.		2013 Per 100k40
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
48	Luxembourg	19.3
49	Portugal	19.6
50	Singapore	20.6
51	India	20.8
52	Trinidad & Tobago	21.7
53	USA	22.2
54	Chile	22.4
55	Canada	22.7
	Asia Avg	19.50
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
32	Bangladesh	32
33	Hungary	33
34	Macedonia	34
35	India	35
36	Fiji	36
37	Thailand	37
38	Pakistan	38
39	Portugal	39
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better42
Pos.		2016 %42
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
4	Ethiopia	20.9
5	Nepal	21.0
6	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	21.6
7	Cambodia	21.7
8=	Niger	22.0
8=	Eritrea	22.0
10	Burundi	22.2
11	Uganda	22.4
12	Afghanistan	23.0
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better38
Pos.		2022 Per 100038
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
63	Turkey	15.7
64	Uzbekistan	15.7
65	Macedonia	16.1
66	India	16.3
67	Armenia	18.3
68	Bhutan	18.5
69	Tonga	19.2
70	Lebanon	20.0
	Asia Avg	25.9
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better41
Pos.		2015 Avg %41
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
168	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	76.5
169	Indonesia	76.4
170	Mali	76.0
171	India	75.1
172	Ethiopia	73.9
173	Pakistan	73.0
174	Liberia	72.6
175	S. Africa	72.5
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

India was amongst 49 countries in the 1990s who had an adolescent birth rate of over 100 (per 1000 girls aged 15-19), but from then to the 2000s was the 3rd most-improved country in the world, a momentum that it improved upon into the 2010s, allowing future generations a much greater chance of a well-ordered, educated and stable life.

6. India's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #china #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #india #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)43
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank43
1	India	54.3
2	Syria	57.5
3	Japan	59.6
4	Maldives	62.7
5	Sri Lanka	65.3
6=	Philippines	65.4
7	Vietnam	66.1
8	Jordan	66.6
9	Iran	70.4
10	Yemen	70.7
11=	Azerbaijan	71.9
12	Nepal	73.1
13	Georgia	73.6
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)43
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank43
1	Uruguay	46.1
2	Cuba	52.0
3	Fiji	53.7
4	India	54.3
5	Costa Rica	54.8
6	Tunisia	56.1
7	Italy	57.4
8	Syria	57.5
9	Morocco	58.8
10	Japan	59.6
11	Greece	61.5
12	Maldives	62.7
	World Avg	94.3
q=190.

With respect to its responsibility towards the environment, India ranks 4th-best in the world. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. India comes in the best 20 for reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₄ (amongst the best in Asia). It does better than average when it comes to its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₅, how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆. But, there's bad news too. India does worse than average for its score on the Green Future Index₄₇ and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₈. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in its environmental performance₄₉ (one of the worst in Asia).

Environmental Performance Higher is better49
Pos.		201849
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
173	Lesotho	33.8
174	Haiti	33.7
175	Madagascar	33.7
176	Nepal	31.4
177	India	30.6
178	Congo, DR	30.4
179	Bangladesh	29.6
180	Burundi	27.4
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better48
Pos.		201448
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
62	Sweden	08.62
63=	Belgium	08.47
63=	Guatemala	08.47
65	India	08.40
66	Cameroon	08.33
67	Australia	08.20
68	UAE	08.13
69=	Jamaica	08.06
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
44	Albania	1994 Apr 05
45	Malawi	1994 May 03
46	Samoa	1994 May 10
47	India	1994 May 19
48=	Paraguay	1994 May 25
48=	Hungary	1994 May 25
50	Brazil	1994 May 29
51	Cuba	1994 Jun 06
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better46
Pos.		2011 %46
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
61	Singapore	41.6%
62	Ukraine	41.5%
63	Jordan	41.4%
64	India	41.2%
65	Canada	41.2%
66	Serbia	41.1%
67	Ghana	40.4%
68	Moldova	40.4%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better44
Pos.		2021 kg44
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
4	Madagascar	05.4
5	India	05.7
6	Nigeria	07.0
7	Ethiopia	07.1
8	Rwanda	07.6
9	Mali	07.8
10	Niger	08.1
11	Afghanistan	08.7
12	Uganda	09.4
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, India had the 4th-lowest meat consumption per person in the world.₄₄

Green Future Index Higher is better47
Pos.		2023 Score47
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
47	Ukraine	4.4
48	Argentina	4.3
49	Indonesia	4.3
50	India	4.3
51	Nigeria	4.2
52	Ecuador	4.1
53=	Kazakhstan	4.1
53=	Vietnam	4.1
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. India's Modernity and Learning

#education #intelligence #it_security #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)50
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank50
1	S. Korea	22.2
2	Japan	24.7
3	Israel	29.5
	...
27	Lebanon	82.1
28	Philippines	85.1
29	Jordan	86.1
30	India	87.8
31	Oman	89.8
32	Palestine	91.6
33	Mongolia	91.7
34	Indonesia	93.3
35	Tajikistan	101.3
	Asia Avg	78.3
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)50
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank50
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
102=	Dominican Rep.	87.1
102=	Panama	87.1
104	Andorra	87.1
105	India	87.8
106	Venezuela	89.0
107	Belize	89.1
108	Oman	89.8
109	Palestine	91.6
	World Avg	86.3
q=190.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2951
2	Israel	4.1151
3	Japan	3.5851
	...
37=	Slovakia	0.8951
37=	Malta	0.8952
39	Greece	0.8451
40	India	0.8253
41	Croatia	0.8152
42	Kenya	0.7954
43	Ukraine	0.7652
44=	Morocco	0.7354
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better55
Pos.		201855
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
106	Colombia	52.0%
107	Ecuador	51.9%
108	Tunisia	51.8%
109	India	51.6%
110	Kuwait	51.5%
111	Congo, DR	50.7%
112	Macedonia	49.8%
113	Indonesia	48.8%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better56
Pos.		2021 Years56
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
138	Lesotho	12.0
139	Namibia	11.9
140	Comoros	11.9
141	India	11.9
142	Kiribati	11.8
143	Nauru	11.7
144	Tajikistan	11.7
145	Micronesia	11.5
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

The BJP, a conservative Hindu-first party made popular by its campaigns of hate against minorities in India, have pursued a policy of establishing astrological departments at universities (the last place they belong, perhaps after hospitals!)₅₇, despite academia's longstanding aversion due to the overwhelming evidence that astrology is not founded on any kind of reality. In an unequal nation of 1.4 billion people, the extra funding spent on this campaign (which has included funding posts at universities) could have provided for a large number of teachers, covering sorely-needed topics of maths, the sciences and engineering.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
64	Samoa	64
65	Jordan	65
66	Namibia	66
67	India	67
68	Lebanon	68
69	Senegal	69
70	China	70
71	Burundi	71
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Religiosity Lower is better58
Pos.		2018 %58
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
72=	Iran	78
72=	Tunisia	78
74	Bangladesh	80
75=	India	80
76	Iraq	82
77=	El Salvador	85
77=	Jordan	85
79	Palestine	86
	Asia Avg	55.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better59
Pos.		200659
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
89=	Tunisia	83
89=	Oman	83
89=	Syria	83
92	India	82
93=	Bangladesh	82
93=	Lebanon	82
93=	Dominican Rep.	82
93=	Madagascar	82
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better60
Pos.		201660
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
124	El Salvador	38%
125	Bhutan	37%
126	Mongolia	36%
127	India	35%
128	Kyrgyzstan	34%
129	Egypt	33%
130	Cuba	32%
131	Micronesia	31%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better61
Pos.		201261
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
17=	Uganda	34
18	Kyrgyzstan	35
19	Mexico	37
20	India	39
21	Indonesia	42
22=	Libya	43
22=	Malaysia	43
24	Jordan	45
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better62
Pos.		201362
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
74	Sri Lanka	1.67
75	Oman	1.72
76	Iraq	1.84
77	Bangladesh	1.87
78	Sudan	1.98
79	India	2.10
80	Russia	2.42
81	USA	3.68
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better63
Pos.		2017 Ratio63
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
4	USA	35.0
5	Greece	33.5
6	Luxembourg	32.4
7	India	26.8
8	Portugal	26.6
9	Ireland	26.1
10	UK	24.7
11	Japan	22.1
12	France	18.8
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better64
Pos.		202464
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
57	Philippines	47.9%
58	Kazakhstan	47.6%
59	Indonesia	47.5%
60	India	47.0%
61	Costa Rica	46.9%
62	Albania	46.7%
63	Azerbaijan	46.0%
64	Macedonia	45.7%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

The diversity of India led itself to the creation of a stalwart democracy that represents its many and varied communities; in 2004 the constitution recognized 18 languages (there are hundreds more dialects) and dealing with the many world religions that have strong footholds in India means that power-sharing and compromise are fundamental parts of the operations of power, resulting in a system that is well-practiced at balancing democratic requirements₆₅

World Giving Index Higher is better66
Pos.		2022 %66
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
63=	Uruguay	40.0
63=	Turkey	40.0
63=	Hungary	40.0
63=	India	40.0
63=	Cyprus	40.0
68	Malawi	39.0
69=	Slovenia	39.0
69=	Burkina Faso	39.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better67
Pos.		2022 Points67
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
86	Suriname	40.0
87=	Macedonia	40.0
87=	Maldives	40.0
87=	India	40.0
87=	Guyana	40.0
91	Belarus	39.0
92=	Moldova	39.0
92=	Colombia	39.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better68
Pos.		2024 Score68
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
115	Kenya	4.5
116	Uganda	4.5
117	Gambia	4.4
118	India	4.4
119	Chad	4.4
120	Burkina Faso	4.4
121	Benin	4.4
122	Somalia	4.3
	Asia Avg	5.41
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
54	Thailand	54
55	Macedonia	55
56	Mauritania	56
57	India	57
58	Philippines	58
59	Uruguay	59
60	Samoa	60
61	Montenegro	61
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
146	Jamaica	146
147	Syria	147
148	Iran	148
149	India	149
150	Cameroon	150
151	Suriname	151
152	Gabon	152
153	Iraq	153
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 Score69
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
123	Nicaragua	2.29
124=	Uganda	2.30
124=	Zimbabwe	2.30
126	India	2.31
127	Guinea	2.36
128	Burundi	2.39
129	Haiti	2.40
130	S. Africa	2.41
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
29	Rwanda	29
30	Paraguay	30
31	Jordan	31
32	India	32
33	New Zealand	33
34	Malaysia	34
35	S. Korea	35
36	Qatar	36
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
86	Jamaica	86
87	Nicaragua	87
88	Niger	88
89	India	89
90	Cameroon	90
91	Venezuela	91
92	Belarus	92
93	Ghana	93
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better70
Pos.		2019 Score70
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
141	Congo, DR	7.04
142	Philippines	7.14
143	Yemen	7.26
144	India	7.52
145	Somalia	7.80
146	Pakistan	7.89
147	Syria	8.01
148	Nigeria	8.60
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better71
Pos.		201971
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
128	S. Africa	19.20
129	Botswana	19.40
130	Rwanda	19.50
131	India	19.70
132	Madagascar	21.10
133	Senegal	21.20
134	Eritrea	21.40
135	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	21.70
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better72
Pos.		2023 %72
1	Slovakia	24.1%73
2	Slovenia	24.3%73
3	Belarus	24.4%74
	...
53=	UK	32.4%73
53=	Nauru	32.4%75
55	Luxembourg	32.7%73
56	India	32.8%73
57=	Greece	32.9%73
57=	Niger	32.9%73
57=	Japan	32.9%76
57=	S. Korea	32.9%73
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better77
Pos.		2018 Severity77
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
50	Bolivia	.094
51	Laos	.108
52	Congo, (Brazzaville)	.112
53	India	.123
54	Guatemala	.134
55	Zimbabwe	.137
56	Ghana	.138
57	Lesotho	.146
	Asia Avg	.084
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#blasphemy #buddhism #christianity #free_speech #hinduism #hinduism_extremism #india #india_religion #islam #new_age #pakistan #religion_in_india #religious_conflict #sikhism

Religious life in India is rich and diverse₁₁, with traditions dating back into prehistory₇₈. The population of India is Hindu (79.5%), Muslim (14.4%) and Christian (2.5%)₇₉ and 80% of the population say that religion is important to them₈₀. Only 3% don't believe in god(s)₈₀. Belief in heaven and hell is at 20%₈₁. 2% of the country is Sikh₆₅. Hinduism was originally a wildly varied mix of traditional local beliefs and practices which only became grouped as "Hinduism" due to Western powers' simplistic descriptions₈₂. In addition to Hinduism, a number of religions and movements have begun in India, including Buddhism and Sikhism₈₃. From the 1960s, Western spiritualists took home some interpretations of Hindu beliefs and the result was the range of small movements called the New Age.

Religion in India is no longer a peaceful affair. The Hindutva movement has seen the rise of intolerant right-wing Hinduism-first parties encourage and instigate a long and bloody series of mob conflicts with Christian and Muslim communities_84,32,85, which has seen many hundreds of churches and mosques destroyed, and a great number killed and displaced. Incompatibility between Hinduism and Islam lead to the breakoff of Pakistan amidst fighting that saw over a million people lose their lives₉, and, three subsequent wars and a nuclear arms race, with the disputed territory of Kashmir as the flashpoint. Also, a small Sikh minority is sometimes involved in violent attempts to create a breakoff country that they call Khalistan. During these cultural and religious conflict, Hindu extremism has become "an impediment to... human rights"₃₂.

For more, see:

• "Religion in India" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

India's constitution gives some protections for freedom of belief and religion_30,31, however, some states and some laws create restrictions that create unfair legal prejudices towards, or against, certain religious groups_30,31. The 'Hindutva' movement seeks to place "Hinduism first" and is responsible for stoking intolerance and Hindu extremism₈₆. There is a steady stream of violent events between Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities. In 2017, vigilante violence aimed at religious minorities, marginalized communities, and critics of the government–often carried out by groups claiming to support the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–became an increasing threat"₃₃. Section 295 of Indian Penal Code allows convictions for intentionally causing offense, which is frequently abused by religious communities in a way that prevents free speech and intellectual criticism, in the same manner that blasphemy laws come to be used elsewhere too.₃₀. Hindu extremism has become 'an impediment to the exercise and enjoyment of internationally recognized human rights'₃₂.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights and Freedom in India" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

. However, this doesn't mean that all the moving parts run smoothy; in particular a nasty and intolerant form of Hinduism has been disturbing the peace (see the section on Religion and Beliefs).

12. History

#bangladesh #india #pakistan

“The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Islam spread across the subcontinent over a period of 700 years. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans invaded India and established the Delhi Sultanate. In the early 16th century, the Emperor BABUR established the Mughal Dynasty which ruled India for more than three centuries. European explorers began establishing footholds in India during the 16th century. By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent. The British Indian Army played a vital role in both World Wars. Years of nonviolent resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU, eventually resulted in Indian independence, which was granted in 1947. Large-scale communal violence took place before and after the subcontinent partition into two separate states - India and Pakistan. The neighboring nations have fought three wars since independence, the last of which was in 1971 and resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons tests in 1998 emboldened Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₈₇