Coronavirus: Decoding India's 'excess mortality' according to WHO estimates

A Business Standard analysis found that most of the countries with an older cohort of population and higher in the development index had a lower excess mortality rate than India.

The ‘excess mortality’ figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which put India at the top of the pecking order globally, reveal that neighbouring countries had a lower mortality rate. Experts slug it out amongst themselves on the methodology adopted by the global agency.

Countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, which have similar demographics and economic background as India have been estimated to have lower mortality rates than us, or countries with older people cohorts reporting lesser mortality.

A Business Standard analysis found that most of the countries with an older cohort of population and higher in the development index had a