The recent “Covid-19 Performance Index” has placed India in the 86th position among a list of 98 countries. This index, compiled by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, was designed to gauge how effectively various nations have responded to the widespread challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
About the Covid-19 Performance Index
The Covid-19 Performance Index is a comprehensive measurement tool created by the Australian think tank, Lowy Institute. The purpose of this index is to quantitatively assess how different countries have handled the ongoing health crisis. The institute has considered several factors to ensure a balanced and fair assessment, including geographical location, political systems, and economic development of the respective countries.
Key Parameters and Methodology
Six specific indicators were evaluated to compile this index: confirmed cases, confirmed deaths, cases per million people, deaths per million people, cases as a proportion of tests, and tests per thousand people. Countries with fewer reported cases and deaths, both in aggregate and per capita terms, were considered to have a superior response to the virus. More tests conducted per capita suggested a clearer understanding of the pandemic’s extent at the national level. Lower rates of positive tests signaled a greater level of control over virus transmission.
The study assessed the aforementioned factors for 98 countries, over a span of 36 weeks following their hundredth case. China was excluded from the study, due to a lack of publicly available testing rates. A score from 0 (worst performing) to 100 (best performing) was then calculated for each country based on an average across all six indicators.
Key Findings
New Zealand emerged as the leading country in controlling Covid-19, followed by Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and Cyprus. On the lower end of the spectrum, Brazil was ranked the poorest in handling the situation, with the USA being the fifth-worst country, positioned at 94 out of 98 countries. In South Asia, Sri Lanka stood out as the best performer, securing 10th place, while the Maldives ranked 25th, followed by Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh at 69th, 70th, and 84th respectively.
India’s Performance
India was ranked 86th out of the 98 countries evaluated in the Covid-19 Performance Index. With an average score of 24.3, it performed below average when compared to the Asia-Pacific region as a whole, which scored 58.2 and ranked highest in regional evaluations.
Trend Analysis
The results of the study indicated that smaller countries, with populations fewer than 10 million people, managed the health crisis better than their larger counterparts. This could be attributed to more cohesive societies and capable institutions. Interestingly, variables such as economic development or political systems were found to have less influence on the outcome. What mattered more was the level of trust citizens had in their leaders and the efficacy of each state.
Despite the similar opportunities provided to both developed and developing countries due to the ‘low-tech’ nature of the health measures adopted, the deployment of vaccines may provide richer nations with an advantage.
