According to World Happiness Report, People in India are not happy, according to the World Happiness Report. India ranks 122 among 157 countries on the index issued by United Nations. The index puts China, Nepal, and Pakistan above India. The country has slipped down from previous ranking by 4 spots. Are Indians sadder than they were in 2016? Well, that’s what the report says.
The ranking, based on gross domestic product (GDP), healthy life expectancy, and a four-factor global survey, also takes a global survey into account in which interviewees score social support that they can count on if they hit a bad patch from 1 to 10. There are other factors too including perceived levels of corruption and generosity as well as the freedom to make life choices.
What are the reasons for India’s ranking low on happiness index?There are many factors that may be responsible for the loss in rankings, for example pollution, corruption, poverty, underdevelopment, dissatisfaction, social strife, etc. A lot of the perceived dissatisfaction may be stemming from India’s social inequalities.
India’s development is lopsided; a small chunk of population holds the maximum amount of resources. Around 80% is outside the purview of the GDP, with income distribution skewed and variable. There is little economic resource with 60% of India’s poorest households. Their capability to affect India’s economy is also minimal. India's middle classes and businesses have accumulated wealth. Such social disparities could lead to conflicts and resultantly destabilize the country.
Technological progress too has not been evenly distributed. Core areas are left behind whereas tokenism of technology is ubiquitously visible. It is not uncommon to sight Indians flaunting cell phones; however, most Indian farmers still plough lands and harvest crops by archaic tools. They still depend on erratic monsoons, leaving arable areas prone to drought.
African and Asian countries bring up the RearCountries from Africa and Asia are at the bottom and most are underdeveloped or developing. They are significantly low on indices of development including GDP, life expectancy, innovation, etc. Central African Republic figures the lowest on the index. Bottom 15 countries are very underdeveloped with hardly any technological advancement or resources, including Tanzania, Benin, Rwanda, Togo, and Burundi.
Columnist
Muqbil Ahmar writes on culture and poetry. He is a writer and theater activist, who wants to bring about harmony and amicability in the present day society. Music, poetry and good food are his passions.
