Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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India’s World Press Freedom Index score declined from 36.62 to 31.28 in 2024, per Reporters Without Borders. This annual report assesses journalism freedoms across 180 nations. India’s rank improved from 161 to 159 due to others’ decline. However, India lags behind Turkey, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Despite a slight improvement in security, scores fell across other indicators, signaling challenges to press independence.

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In 2023, global internal displacement rose to 75.9 million from 71.1 million the year before, as per the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) by the Geneva-based IDMC. The report cites 7.7 million displaced by disasters, a quarter due to earthquakes, and 68.3 million by conflict. Sudan, Syria, DRC, Colombia, and Yemen house nearly half of IDPs. Sudan alone records 9.1 million IDPs, with new displacements concentrated in Sudan, Palestinian territories, and DRC.

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The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) report, “Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists,” warns of the silent demise of rangelands, which cover half of Earth’s land surface. These vital grasslands, including prairies, shrublands, and tundras, are degraded by conversion to cropland, urban expansion, overgrazing, and policies promoting overexploitation, driven by rising demands for food, fiber, and fuel.

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The Global Food Policy Report 2024 by IFPRI reveals that 38% of Indians consume unhealthy foods, while only 28% eat all five recommended food groups. Malnutrition in India rose from 15.4% in 2011 to 16.6% in 2021. Adult overweight prevalence increased from 12.9% in 2006 to 16.4% in 2016. Processed food consumption is growing, with packaged foods’ share in household budgets nearly doubling to 12%.

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The Coal Ministry’s report “Greening Initiative in Coal & Lignite PSUs” showcases efforts by Coal Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to reduce environmental impacts through reclamation and afforestation. Key initiatives include extensive ecological restoration, seed ball plantation, seed casting via drones, and Miyawaki plantation, which involves densely planting native trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants. These measures aim to increase green cover in coal mining areas.

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The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2024 reveals a 12.2% rise in India’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023, totaling 3.589 million. Globally, HNWI wealth grew 4.7% to $86.8 trillion, with a 5.1% increase in the HNWI population to 22.8 million. India’s HNWI financial wealth rose by 12.4% to $1,445.7 billion. Key drivers include a resilient economy, robust equity markets, a lower unemployment rate, and increased market capitalization and national savings.

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The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, a flagship report of the FAO, analyzes global trends. In 2022, total aquatic production reached 223.2 million tonnes, with aquaculture surpassing capture fisheries for the first time. China led production (36%), followed by India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Peru. Inland fisheries, primarily in Asia and Africa, yielded 11.3 million tonnes. Finfish dominated inland aquaculture (89.7%), while exports grew at 7.2% annually, mainly to the EU and the USA.

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At least 49 migrants died and 140 others went missing after a boat capsized off Yemen’s coast, the U.N. migration agency reported on June 11. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951 and headquartered in Geneva, aids governments and migrants. With 175 member states, it focuses on migration health, emergency operations, migration development, and counter-trafficking, publishing the World Migration Report and Migration Health Annual Report.

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The World Bank’s June 2024 Global Economic Prospects report revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6%, up from 6.4% in January. India is projected to remain the fastest-growing major economy in 2024-25. For 2025-26, the forecast increased to 6.7% from 6.5%. India’s economy grew by 8.2% in 2023-24, per the NSO. The Reserve Bank of India raised its 2024-25 forecast to 7.2%.

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India is ranked 63rd on the global Energy Transition Index 2024 by the World Economic Forum. The index monitors the global shift towards sustainable, secure, and accessible energy systems. Sweden tops the rankings, followed by Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, and France. Despite notable progress by emerging economies like Brazil and China, 83% of countries regressed in security, equity, or sustainability. The gap between advanced and developing economies is narrowing, despite disparities.