India ranked 102 out of 132 countries on Social Progress Index

India was ranked 102 out of 132 countries on the Social Progress Index published by the US-based non-profit organisation Social Progress Imperative on 3 April 2014. This is the second publication of the SPI. The first SPI was published in 2013 taking into account the social progress in 50 countries.
The 2014 SPI has shed light on the current database about inclusive growth and shared prosperity. The SPI rates 132 countries on more than 50 indicators including health, sanitation, shelter, personal safety, access to information, sustainability, tolerance and inclusion and access to education.

Main highlights of SPI:

• The top 5 countries are New Zealand, Switzerland, Iceland, Netherlands and Norway. These countries which are relatively small in terms of populations, score strongly across all factors.
• The lowest 5 countries are Sudan, Guinea, Burundi, Central African Republic and Chad.
• The Social Progress Indicators of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are best mixed one although these countries are seen as economics with growth potential.
• Among BRICS group, only Brazil ranks 46th better on social progress than it does on GDP per capita. Russia has a higher GDP than Brazil yet ranks lower on the Social Progress Index; South Africa in 58th on GDP and 69th on social progress; China is 69th on GDP and 90th on social progress and India is 94th on GDP and 102th on social progress.
• In general, resource-rich countries are more likely to under-perform on social progress relative to their GDP per capita. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Angola are all significant under-performers.

India's performance on various dimensions: India was ranked 102 out of 132 countries on the social progress index. Performance of India is good in the areas of Nutrition and Basic Medical Care. Overall score of India on Social Progress Index is 50.24.

Basic Human Needs Dimensions: India does best in areas including Nutrition and Basic Medical care and has the greatest opportunity to improve human well-being by focusing more on Shelter. India achieved 100th rank with 54.48 score.

Foundations of Well-being Dimensions: India excel at providing building blocks for people's lives such as Access to Basic Knowledge. India achieved 108th rank with score 56.84 score.

Opportunity Dimension: India outperforms in providing opportunities for people to improve their position in society and scores highly in Personal Freedom and Choice dimension. India achieved 109th rank with 39.39 score.