Findings from the Prosperity Index.
The London-based Legatum Institute is "an independent non-partisan public policy organistation" that promotes research and programmes to help countries make their societies free and prosperous.
About the annual signature publication in 2008, LI's press release states:
"The Legatum Prosperity Index™ is a unique and robust assessment of global wealth and wellbeing, which benchmarks 142 countries around the world in eight distinct sub-indices:
1. Economy 2. Education 3. Entrepreneurship & Opportunity 4. Governance 5. Health 6. Personal Freedom 7. Safety & Security 8. Social Capital."
The index now covers more than 96% of the world’s population and 99% of the world’s GDP.
The 2013 report indicates that though global prosperity has risen over the past five years, many countries including Pakistan, are facing stagnation.
While the US and UK have slipped in their rankings, Bangladesh (103) has overtaken India (106) in overall prosperity.
Pakistan - 132
LPI's Pakistan profile suggests that Pakistan slipped from 107 in 2009 to 132 in 2013, but this is partly due to the addition of 32 new countries in the 2012 Prosperity Index. Most of the data used is from 2012 while some is older.
Breaking down its overall rank, Pakistan's faring in each sub-index is as follows:
Economy - 107
The report uses data from 2005-2009 and shows the five-year term's GDP per-capita growth rate (1.6%) to be lower than in the rest of the world (2.2%).
Compared to the global average, the number of people employed (50.7%), expectations from the economy and job prospects also showed a negative trend.
The percentage of exports that make up high-tech goods (1.8%) were much lower than in other countries (9.2% average), as was the size of foreign direct investment. The inflation rate for 2012 was listed as 9.7%, against the world average 6.2%
Curiously enough, the percentages of Pakistanis saying they had basic access to food and shelter, confidence in financial institutions and satisfaction in their living standards were always close to the global average.
Entrepreneurship and Opportunity - 100
Pakistan claimed its best position in this particular sub-index.
This was despite the fact that only 49% of people considered the country to be a 'good place' to start up a business when the number was 70% in the rest of the world.
The number of secure internet servers per one million people was also staggeringly low, as was the country's internet bandwidth.
Governance - 123
Predictably, most people (84%) were dissatisfied with the government's efforts in addressing poverty, while a similar number (79%) believed elections in the country to have been dishonest.
Confidence in the military and judiciary was high though and low in the government. More than 77% people believed the businesses and government to be corrupt.
Education - 124
Around 60% of the survey respondents children have an opportunity to learn and the quality of education is satisfactory.
The country ranked very poorly in terms of gross secondary and tertiary enrollment rates, though.
Health - 110
The most stark difference was health expenditure per person in dollars, which was close to 69 in Pakistan but 1226 on average in the rest of the world.
Life expectancy was 55 against the global 60, but sanitation and satisfaction with environmental beauty were much lower.
Safety and Security - 140
Only Chad and Congo could beat Pakistan in being the least secure places to live and work. Saudi Arabia was ranked 131.
As expected, civil war casualties were high in Pakistan. Sixty percent of people said they did not feel safe walking alone at night, whereas around 10% said they had been assaulted or had their property stolen within the past 12 months.
Personal Freedom - 135
Barring a handful of countries (such as Yemen, Sudan, Iraq and Egypt), the Index declared Pakistan to be among the worst countries in terms of personal freedom.
Compared to over 70% in the world, only 36% people in Pakistan said they were satisfied with the freedom of choice available here. But compared to the world average (68%), a slightly higher number of people (70%) said the country was a good place for ethnic minorities to live in.
Social Charity - 130
People in Pakistan turned out to be more charitable and helpful to strangers than in the rest of the world. A higher percentage of them happened to be married and religious too.
But compared to other countries, Pakistanis did not think their friends and families were reliable or that people could be trusted in general.
Top 10 most prosperous and free nations:
1. Norway
2. Switzerland
3. Canada
4. Sweden
5. New Zealand
6. Denmark
7. Australia
8. Finland
9. Netherlands
10. Luxembourg
Least prosperous and free countries:
133. Angola
134. Haiti
135. Guinea
136. Yemen
137. Togo
138. Burundi
139. Afghanistan
140. Democratic Republic of Congo
141. Central African Republic
142. Chad
COMMENTS (59)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713853507-0/MalalaHilary-(2)1713853507-0-270x192.webp)
Have you ever helped a stranger in the past? Is this how you measure prosperity??? . With this kinds of survey questions, I am sure Afghanistan can be on top of the list!
You want to know the reality of this survey??? . Just see that Bangladesh is 3 places better than India! While no illegal Indian have ever ventured into Banladesh, there are millions of Bangladeshi dying to enter into India, only to be shot by security forces.
this is the result of ir pakistan's governing english mafia it's time to get ride of this foreign mafia controling all aspects of life
@Muzaffarnagar(India) - "We wish we were in Pakistan,at least we would have been safe from the brutalities of Hindus.(A Muslim from Muzaffarnagar,India)"
Additionally we would have been more happy with the brutalities perpetuated by Muslims on us (Mohajirs) in Pakistan
yes! we are ahead of 8 other countries...
@Fact is Fact @Qazi @zeeshan
guys how can he be Pakistani when he is from Azad Kashmir? If he is Pakistani, then why do you claim that Kashmir at your side is Azad.
Take one stand for God Sake!
Am just trying to understand...and not really crticize....why is that none of the readers whom have commented...have not proposed any solutions for a better Pakistan...I think such thinking would bring in that change...obviously not everybody can be as mature as many of you folks are.... For folks who question my habit of reading tribune, well I read several news portals...and tribune is one of them....and i have gained many insights by reading tribune. .........Indian
Another indicator showing Pakistan shares Afghanistan's fate. You might as well deploy strategic assets against yourself and get it over with.
@Sivaramakrishna B......oh u don't understand. we have deliberately kept this difference to make you guys happy, like you have just become !
@Zen.One: Your argument that these surveys are to please smaller natiions like Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, etc is silly. These countries provide it's citizen with all the basic amenities including education, healthcare and employment. Pakistan's position based on GDP (PPP) is 30th and on real growth basis is 47th. India stands 3rd in the world on PPP basis and 9th on real growth basis but this does places India at a dismal 104th position. Rather than arguing about these polls both India and Pakistan need to improve tremendously.
What? we are not last. What a dissappointment. No matter we shall reach the last 142nd next year. Lets keep up the efforts.
@ another pakistani : “Before Indians start flooding this news, let me tell them India is ranked at # 106. Not really far behind!”.
…………. and the difference in ranking places between India and Pakistan is a lot more than the difference in ranking places between Pakistan and last placed Chad.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: Have you considered that the person maybe Indian AND a Muslim? That they do not have to fake a Muslim name?
@Indi.pendent: "The report gives 70.01% points in the ‘Personal Freedom’ section, in the context of ‘Good place to live for ethnic minorities’, comparable to western countries. This debunks the myth that minorities are not safe here. Below is a link related to racism in the world and again Pakistan is at par with developed countries, unlike the neighboring countries"
That part is based on surveys.
Since most ethnic minorities have been killed or driven out the people who answered the questions were no doubt Muslims who self certified themselves. Having already decimated Hindus and Sikhs the ongoing murder and oppression of Shias, Christians and Ahmadis is far too blatant.
The fact that the people voted the way in the survey shows thaat the ability to feel others pain is gone. The only survey questions answered correctly pertained to their own problems and deprivations.
@Qazi: So since you have the courage to criticize yourself, why do you think that Imran is not one of your courageous Pakistanis finding fault?
Since Bangladesh (East Pakistan) kicked out (West-) Pakistan in 1971, the surrendered country is in gradual decline. In last two decades almost all socio-economic indicators of (1971-) loser Pakistan look bad and uncertain. Pakistan already slipped behind India and Bangladesh in most socio-economic index and the gap is likely to grow in coming years.
Pakistan experts and Pakistan observers are now debating about the meaning and purpose of Pakistan and how far this once broken country can go with such sorry state.
@naeem khan, manhattan,ks
Still you missed a great opportunity to lecture about Indian "occupation" of Kashmir, and "atricities". Why are you pretending you don't do that? What did you achieve with the land and the ethic groups you got in 1947. Who is obsessed? Your obsession is through wars and terrorism. And simultaneously faking to be innocent victims.
And don't be like a broken record, come up with something new other than you use your real name (big deal) and Indians commenting on Pakistani web sites. Same old same old.lol.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: The report gives 70.01% points in the 'Personal Freedom' section, in the context of 'Good place to live for ethnic minorities', comparable to western countries. This debunks the myth that minorities are not safe here. Below is a link related to racism in the world and again Pakistan is at par with developed countries, unlike the neighboring countries.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/550216/pakistan-one-of-the-least-racist-countries-in-the-world-survey/
report on TOI says india dragged down mainly because of safety and security issues and govarnance..... not surprised....delhi gangrape.... rape of female tourists and mining scams contributed to this.... i still feel the report is ok
I don't know what the heck you are talking about, at least we are self critical but you guys live in the land of milk and honey. Any thing wrong with you Indians are the fault of Pakistan or Pakistanis. Just look at the comments of you people day in and day out about the faults of Pakistan. I don't know where do you get time to scan Pakistani papers and then write nasty comments. I have yet to read any Indian paper and let alone write nasty comments, I am not hateful like you people are and just keep it up, even those who favor normal relations with India are beginning to understand the mindset of your people and the country. Pakistanis do not need India, our trade is mostly geared toward west and you guys could keep your cheap sub- standard merchandise in India.By the way I have guts enoubh to use my own name and identity to write any comments, you people take other people's names specially Muslim names to write nasty comments.
@Another Pakistani: trolling or lol' ing is for all to see. Against the global avg of 68%Pakistan scores 70 % on ' good place to live for ethnic minorities '. Even the diehard Pakistani must be laughing !
@Imran: Hey, you asked for Pakistan, took a big chunk of the land and now ask for more. stay away, please and mind your own business.
Still not so bad but wait for next year report, last position will be achieved.
This is true face of Pakistan. They always think Pakistan is better than India with less poverty etc etc.. But in truth, India has gone way ahead of Pakistan in almost all fields and never compare Bangladesh with a huge country like India. Suppose If you want to give Re. 1 to all citizens of India, you need 1.3 billion rupees. There are huge developments happening in India, one example being the 20 odd new cities they going to build on Delhi-Mumbai corridor. The poverty level has come down to 22% from 37% during the last 10 years.
@naeemkhan, manhattan,ks
This is a great news item/ opportunity for you to lecture Indians on India "occupying" Kashmir, freedom struggle, UN resolutions, etc, etc...lol.
Before you say India is only 106th, India acquired much more poverty stricken regions pre1947. Even now when the South and West of India lead in economic growth Indian Punjab remains among the most prosperous states. And Punjab is the core of Pakistan.
Bring Musharraf back all the prosperity indexes will definitely improve.
Talking of economies, Pakistan is the 27th largest economy of the world with a GDP of $514.6 billion (2012 est.)(PPP). Ahead of Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sweden, Bangladesh and ahead of almost 145 countries of the world. And the above mentioned survey stats are people opinion, and what they think about different aspects of the country.
These surveys are feel good factor for smaller countries like Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Denmark etc. The population in these countries are less than 6-8 million(per country). Smaller countries are obviously going to get better welfare related stats because of their low population. Ironically USA ranks 20th in the survey, below many countries of the world and Singapore, with one of the highest per capita income is not in the top ten. No wonder the survey is done by a London based, non-partisan company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EconomyofPakistan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofcountriesbyGDP_%28PPP%29
I'm skeptical about this report. Hard to believe there are 10 countries worse than Pakistan.
We wish we were in Pakistan,at least we would have been safe from the brutalities of Hindus.(A Muslim from Muzaffarnagar,India)
Bitter truth is that top twenty countries on this index are also the best place for Muslim men and women to practice their faith.
Pakistan ranks first in strategic assets though. It also has a mighty mighty military with well fed officers. Terrorists are prosperus as well. Pakistan is prosperous, for those carrying guns.
@Chiniot Se: Your comment is exactly what is wrong with our nation. We live in a state of denial. Look at the raking methodology which is partly described in this article and is available on their website. It will be clear to you that the ranking is generally based on data which can be collected very easily. e.g. no. of hospital beds per 1000 people, enrollment rate of girls vs. boys in schools, life expectancy, confidence in the honesty of elections/government etc. By the way, the same london based agency has ranked Bangladesh, a Muslim country better than so called kafir countries India and Haiti. Please wake up to the reality that Pakistan actually has a lot of problems which will eventually lead to disintegration of our country if the general public does not realize that we do have serious problems.
Social Charity sector reads "People in Pakistan turned out to be more charitable and helpful to strangers than in the rest of the world. A higher percentage of them happened to be married and religious too", and still given a rank of 130 in the survey. Quite a paradox, says so much about the neutrality of the survey.
@Imran: your wish can't be true but the bigger problem here is now you are a Pakistani and you should do your best to make yourself and your nation proud rather than saying such innocuous words about your own country. It is our fault that pakistan is down there. A country is made from people and if people would wish like yours, then it is gonna be there for life. Own you country first and then talk.
Oh come on now.. How can Pakistan be less prosperous than Zimbabwe whose currency is down right catastrophic. these surveys are just useless
@Chiniot Se: Do not look after for conspiracy in everywhere.Open your eyes and see what is happening.
Time is not far that pakistan will take over there place to 142, if the situation continue like this.This is what happens, when they consider Zaid Hamid,Hamid gul and hafeez saed as there national hero.You situation will not improve unless and until stops spreading hatred towards others for your own failure.You have to fix your problem and don't expect any one to fix your problem.
We kill 15 year old girl by putting bullet shame on us
@Another Pakistani: pakistan 26 years backward than India.
@mahmood:
As an aviation enthusiast, I have to say, those F 16 looks great.
The thing with such surveys is that they aren't too transparent. Like for example if they took 1000 people from, lets say, Dera Bugti, the results would turn out to be really gloomy. But if they took 1000 people from Islamabad, the results would be much different. Pakistan really needs to fix the regional disparity in my opinion.
Wake up call for corrupt generals. Stop dictating foreign and defence policy and stop wasting precious resources on weapons of mass destruction. Sign no war pact with India and concentrate on economic development.
“The Legatum Prosperity Index™ is a unique and robust assessment of global wealth and wellbeing, which benchmarks 142 countries around the world in eight distinct sub-indices: 1. Economy 2. Education 3. Entrepreneurship & Opportunity 4. Governance 5. Health 6. Personal Freedom 7. Safety & Security 8. Social Capital.” The index now covers more than 96% of the world’s population and 99% of the world’s GDP. The 2013 report indicates that though global prosperity has risen over the past five years, many countries including Pakistan, are facing stagnation.
People tend to handle the social conundrum through one dimension of focusing their energies on Primary education but the problem is not only quality education but also the lack of opportunity after they complete education.
We see the solution to this problem in a completely different way, instead of a top down or bottom up approach, a bridge should be built from the center. By educating and creating opportunities for children who have passed some primary education. The key audience for this hypothesis can be students who have passed metric but cannot afford higher education or are forced to work due to their current social or economic constraints.
The principle of this hypothesis is based on Social Business Principle, where young people can work and learn at the same time, the project being self-sustaining and reinvesting later in other social issues such as primary education, health, financing, etc.
It is based on the outsourcing and off-shoring model, where people can work online on projects (Such as data entry and data punching, graphic designing, software development [later stages] and earn a better living). Learning would commence in a college/university style environment.
Though, there have been other such initiatives in the past, most of them are related to establishing a cottage industry, followed by micro-franchising. We’re planning not to setup a product industry, but a service industry, which primarily focuses on the important of technical education, such that it becomes a trend builder for future generations.
This will not only create jobs but help the students economically which is a short term solution. In long term it will create a better quality of life for the whole group and this will pass on to their families, to which the society can look up to as being an advantage of being educated and Self Sufficient. This might stop the school dropout rate and the youth will continue their studies and be part of this group of individuals. It will create an example for all the other students to follow their lead and lead them to a path of better living and well being in the society. I call this project Being Ghalib Initiative i.e. ‘being predominant’.
For more details visit: www.TheGhalibFoundation.com or http://www.facebook.com/BeingGhalib
@Another Pakistani
it is better than pakistan i wish azad kashmir was in india. please leave us and gilgit and balochistan do us a favour.
Do they take account of our nuclear weapons? That should help us jump up to the top 50!
@Imran
Nice try Indian
It reflects upon the leadership in Pakistan, keep it up and you will be at the bottom one of these days.There is corruption in every sector and institution of Pakistan and those who benefit from it are the riches people in Pakistan and most of them are doing business in Dubai where there no questions asked where did they get the loot.
Report card is in. i can see citizen of India and Pakistan two nuclear power arch enemy (phrase used in each news item) are at par. BTW number of toilets and hungery were factored in.
Wow! Zardari left the challenge of loosing to 10 more countries for the present Govt.
Democracy is the best revenge indeed
Nonsense!
How can Pakistan be ranked lower than india - that itself shows this rating is a propaganda.
Its a conspiracy to malign Islam and Pakistan - what else can be expected from agency based in london.
Jeay Bhutto, Jeay zardari...
Before Indians start flooding this news, let me tell them India is ranked at # 106. Not really far behind!
This is our reality which our mullahs and military have bought upon us. This unfortunately has not sunk in most peoples heads. And we expect that when we talk to countries like the US that we should talk as equals. They probably laugh their heads of.
I am not surprised. I live in azad kashmir and situation is very bad here with huge population growth i wish we were in india.
Hey, who needs prosperity, good health, education etc. when you can have a great army instead. Check out those F-16's, aren't they just beautiful?