Pandemic Risks Decade Of Progress On Health, Education, Child Survival - World Bank
Umer Jamshaid Published September 17, 2020 | 12:16 AM
A decade of growth of the Human Capital index, defined by improvements in health, education and child survival rates, faces an unprecedented threat from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unless nations begin developing long-term protections during and after the crisis ends, the World Bank said in a report on Wednesday
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th September, 2020) A decade of growth of the Human Capital index, defined by improvements in health, education and child survival rates, faces an unprecedented threat from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unless nations begin developing long-term protections during and after the crisis ends, the World Bank said in a report on Wednesday.
"The economic impact of the pandemic has been particularly deep for women and the most disadvantaged families, leaving many vulnerable to food insecurity and poverty," World Bank President David Malpass said in a press release introducing the report. "Protecting and investing in people is vital as countries work to lay the foundation for sustainable, inclusive recoveries and future growth."
The report features the World Bank's 2020 Human Capital Index, a synthesis of health and education data for 174 countries that cover 98 percent of the world's population up to March 2020, the release said.
"The analysis shows that pre-pandemic, most countries had made steady progress in building human capital of children, with the biggest strides made in low-income countries," the release said.
Even with those gains, a child born in a typical country could expect to achieve just 56 percent of their potential human capital, relative to a benchmark of complete education and full health - prior to the pandemic, the release also said.
The World Bank is urging nations to do more than simply attempt to recover lost progress, the release noted.
"To protect and extend earlier human capital gains, countries need to expand health service coverage and quality among marginalized communities, boost learning outcomes together with school enrollments and support vulnerable families with social protection measures adopted to the scale of the COVID-19 crisis," the release said.
The report committed the World Bank to work with governments to develop long-term solutions that protect and invest in people during and after the pandemic, the release added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Business
-
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
5 hours ago -
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
5 hours ago -
British-Pakistani firm unveils $35 million luxury apartments for overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad
6 hours ago -
European stocks lose momentum after global rally
6 hours ago -
New pulses varieties imperative to cater domestic food requirements: Dr Khalid Hasan
7 hours ago -
CEO KP-EZDMC meets CRBC officials
7 hours ago
-
Pakistan among nine poor countries that produces 90 percent cigarettes for world
8 hours ago -
Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan calls on Minister for Privatisation
8 hours ago -
Germany nudges up growth forecast, ailing economy at 'turning point'
8 hours ago -
Revised UAF budget recommended
8 hours ago -
IDEA, TEVTA organizes Job Fair for youth
8 hours ago -
Massive financial, administrative scam unearthed at SCCI
9 hours ago