Dawn: DHAKA: Bangladesh has overtaken India on the prosperity index for the first time this year on the back of its successful development policies.
“At present, the grand South Asian leader might learn a trick or two from its more nimble regional compatriot,” said the 2013 Legatum Prosperity Index, an annual ranking of 142 countries based on a variety of factors including wealth, economic growth, personal wellbeing and quality of life.
In the index compiled by London-based Legatum Institute, Bangladesh came in at 103, three spots above its neighbour, who slipped 5 spots down to 106, and nearly 30 spots above Pakistan, who came in at 132. “For Bangladesh, surpassing India is quite an accomplishment considering that the country’s gross national income per capita – at purchasing power parity – amounts to just half that of its larger neighbour.”
The index reveals that despite this, Bangladeshis not only live 3.4 years longer than their Indian counterparts, but fewer are undernourished, a lower number die in infancy and more have access to sanitation.
Categories: Asia, Bangladesh, Economics, India