Economy - Reports and Indices - World Economic Forum
1. World Economic Forum (WEF)
Context: The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a not-for-profit, international organisation for public-private cooperation. Founded in 1971, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It brings together global leaders to shape policies on the economy, technology, sustainability, and social issues, and hosts the annual Davos Summit of global leaders. It aims to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation.
Inclusive Development Index
- About: Measures a country's economic performance beyond GDP growth. Talks about how growth benefits different segments of the population.
- Frequency: Was Annually Earlier (Last standalone report in 2018)
- India's Rank: 62nd out of 74 emerging economies.
- Best Performance: India's best performance was in the "intergenerational equity and sustainability" pillar, ranking 44th.
- Key Performance Indicators: Growth and development, Inclusion, Intergenerational equity and sustainability.
Global Gender Gap Index (UPSC 2017)
- About: Annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity.
- Frequency: Annually
- India's Rank: 129th out of 146 countries (slipped two places)
- Benchmarks: Economic participation and opportunity, Health and survival
- Highlights of the 2024 Report: The global gender gap closed at 68.5%, improved by 0.1 percentage point over last year. It will take 134 years to achieve full gender parity.
Global Cybersecurity Outlook Report
- About: Examines key trends, challenges, and developments in the global cybersecurity landscape.
- Frequency: Annually
- Highlights of the 2025 Report: Rising cyber threats to critical infrastructure, driven by geopolitical tensions, outdated systems, and cybersecurity skills gap. Need for enhanced security and resilience.
Future of Jobs Report
- About: Gives insights into the evolving global labour market influenced by technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition.
- Frequency: Annually
- Highlights of 2025 Report: Job disruption will equate to 22 percent of jobs by 2030. Around 170 million new jobs will be created, and 92 million jobs will be displaced, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030.
Global Competitiveness Report (UPSC 2019)
- About: Assesses a country's ability to provide high levels of prosperity to its citizens.
- Frequency: Annually (Paused post-COVID; Last edition: 2019)
- India's Rank (2019): 68th out of 141 countries
- Parameters: Based on 12 pillars:
- Institutions
- Infrastructure
- Macroeconomic stability
- Health & Primary Education
- Higher education & training
- Goods Market efficiency
- Labour Market Efficiency
- Financial Market Sophistication
- Technological Readiness
- Market Size
- Business Sophistication
- Innovation Capability
- A special edition Report without country rankings published in 2020.
State of the Connected World Report
- About: Provides insights into the current landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT) and highlights governance challenges and opportunities associated with connected technologies. Released in association with the Council on the Connected World.
- Frequency: Annually
- Highlights: The report tracks and quantifies governance gaps in IoT. Emphasizes rapid adoption of IoT devices without established baseline governance protocols. The 2023 report highlights IoT governance gaps in ethics, security, accessibility, and emphasizes global collaboration for solutions.
Fostering Effective Energy Transition Report
- About: Evaluates the progress of 120 countries in transitioning towards sustainable energy systems. The energy transition (ET) refers to the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to reduce CO2 emissions. Based on the Energy Transition Index (ETI).
- Parameters: Two broad dimensions: Systems performance and transition readiness.
- Frequency: Annually
- India's Rank (2024): 63rd out of 120 countries
- Highlights of the 2024 Report: Clean energy infrastructure investments reached $1.8 trillion in 2023 yet 80 percent of global energy still derived from fossil fuels. Nearly 90% of the growth since 2021 occurred in advanced economies and China. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and France are the top five performers.
Global Health and Healthcare Strategic Outlook
- About: Outlines a vision for the future of health and healthcare systems by 2035. Released in collaboration with L.E.K. Consulting.
- Parameters: Based on four key pillars:
- Equitable Access and Outcomes
- Technology and Innovation
- Healthcare Systems Transformation
- Environmental Sustainability
Travel and Tourism Development Report
- About: Measures factors and policies that enable the sustainable and resilient development of the Travel & Tourism sector of 119 countries. Created in collaboration with the University of Surrey.
- Frequency: Biennial
- India's Ranking (2024): 39 (Earlier 54 - 2021 index)
- Index Scoring and Analysis: The index uses a 7-point scale, where 1 is the worst and 7 is the best. India scored 4.25 on this scale, indicating a strong performance.
Education 4.0 India Report
- About: Focuses on using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to enhance learning and address educational inequalities among schoolchildren in India. In collaboration with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India).
- Key Themes:
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
- Teacher Professional Development
- School-to-Work Transition
- Connecting the Unconnected
Other Reports/Indices by WEF:
- Global Energy Architecture Performance Index
- Chief Economists Outlook Report
- Global Risks Report
- Net-Zero Industry Tracker
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lighthouses Report — In collaboration with Global Parity Alliance
- Environment Performance Index (Biennial) — In collaboration with Yale University & Columbia University
- Energy Transition Index
- BiodiverCities by 2030: Transforming cities' relationship with nature
2. Summary: WEF Reports and Indices at a Glance
| Report/Index | Frequency | India's Rank / Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusive Development Index | Annually (Last: 2018) | 62nd out of 74 emerging economies |
| Global Gender Gap Index (UPSC 2017) | Annually | 129th out of 146; 68.5% closed; 134 years to parity |
| Global Cybersecurity Outlook Report | Annually | Rising threats to critical infrastructure |
| Future of Jobs Report | Annually | 22% job disruption; 78 million net new jobs by 2030 |
| Global Competitiveness Report (UPSC 2019) | Annually (Last: 2019) | 68th out of 141 (2019); 12 pillars |
| State of the Connected World Report | Annually | IoT governance gaps in ethics, security, accessibility |
| Fostering Effective Energy Transition Report | Annually | 63rd out of 120 (2024); Top: Sweden, Denmark, Finland |
| Global Health and Healthcare Strategic Outlook | — | 4 pillars: Equitable Access, Technology, Transformation, Sustainability |
| Travel and Tourism Development Report | Biennial | 39th (2024), up from 54; Score: 4.25/7 |
| Education 4.0 India Report | — | 4 themes: FLN, Teacher Development, School-to-Work, Connectivity |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- WEF Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland (Founded 1971)
- Davos Summit: Annual meeting of global leaders hosted by WEF
- Global Gender Gap Index (UPSC 2017): India ranked 129th out of 146; 68.5% global parity; 134 years to full parity
- Global Competitiveness Report (UPSC 2019): India ranked 68th out of 141 (2019); based on 12 pillars
- Future of Jobs Report 2025: 22% job disruption by 2030; 78 million net new jobs
- Energy Transition Index 2024: India ranked 63rd out of 120; Top performers: Sweden, Denmark, Finland
- Travel and Tourism Report 2024: India ranked 39th (up from 54); scored 4.25/7
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 1: Reports and Indices)
Q1. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is headquartered in:
Correct Answer: C. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded in 1971.
Q2. The Inclusive Development Index measures a country's economic performance:
Correct Answer: C. The Inclusive Development Index measures a country's economic performance beyond GDP growth. It talks about how growth benefits different segments of the population.
Q3. India ranked _____ out of 74 emerging economies in the Inclusive Development Index.
Correct Answer: C. India ranked 62nd out of 74 emerging economies in the Inclusive Development Index.
Q4. The Global Gender Gap Index is published annually by:
Correct Answer: C. The Global Gender Gap Index is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity. (UPSC 2017)
Q5. As per the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, how many years will it take to achieve full gender parity?
Correct Answer: C. As per the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, it will take 134 years to achieve full gender parity.
Q6. India's rank in the Global Competitiveness Report 2019 was:
Correct Answer: B. India ranked 68th out of 141 countries in the Global Competitiveness Report 2019. (UPSC 2019)
Q7. The Global Competitiveness Report is based on how many pillars?
Correct Answer: C. The Global Competitiveness Report is based on 12 pillars including Institutions, Infrastructure, Macroeconomic stability, Health & Primary Education, etc.
Q8. India ranked _____ out of 120 countries in the Energy Transition Index 2024.
Correct Answer: B. India ranked 63rd out of 120 countries in the Energy Transition Index 2024.
Q9. The Travel and Tourism Development Report 2024 ranked India at:
Correct Answer: C. India ranked 39th in the Travel and Tourism Development Report 2024, up from 54th in 2021. India scored 4.25 on a 7-point scale.
Q10. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 estimates that by 2030, job disruption will equate to:
Correct Answer: C. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 estimates that job disruption will equate to 22 percent of jobs by 2030. Around 170 million new jobs will be created, and 92 million jobs will be displaced, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs.