If You Compare India's States To Countries, 75% Of India Shows Lesser COVID-19 Cases

Far from flattening the curve, COVID-19 cases in India continue to rise. This is making us question our authorities with their methods and how they¡¯re dealing with the situation.

It is no news that India is the second-largest country in the world when you compare population-wise.

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However, did you know that the population in each state of our country is similar to the population of entire countries around the world? Not just small countries, but even large ones. Let¡¯s look at how those countries dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic with a similar population. And in most situations, India is doing just fine.

This is according to population data by the Indian government as well as Wikipedia. The COVID-19 data is from India's MyGov COVID-19 tracker as well as Google's COVID-19 tracker.

Uttar Pradesh vs Brazil

Uttar Pradesh, one of the most densely populated states of our nation is similar Brazil -- one of the largest countries in South America (22.08 cr vs 21.14 cr), however, when you look at COVID-19 cases, UP has had significantly less cases than Brazil, with just 4,057 vs 2,20,291 cases till now.

Maharashtra vs Japan

Maharashtra is one of the largest states in India, while also holding one of the most densely populated cities of the country -- Mumbai, bringing the total population of the state to around 12.08 crores. The country with a similar population as Maharashtra is Japan with 12.68 crores (in 2019). In comparison, Maharashtra has had 29,100 cases till date vs 16,253 in Japan.

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Bihar vs Ethiopia

Bihar has an approximate population of around 11.94 crores which is similar to that of Ethiopia in Africa with around 10.92 crores in 2018. While till date, Bihar has had 1018 active coronavirus cases, Ethiopia has had only 287.

West Bengal vs Vietnam

West Bengal in East India has a population of around 9.7 crores, which is similar to the population of Vietnam inn South-East Asia at 9.55 crores in 2018. West Bengal too has seen a spike in COVID-19 with 2,461 cases in the state compared to just 313 in Vietnam.

Madhya Pradesh vs Germany

The population of Madhya Pradesh (at 8.2 crores) is similar to one of the largest developed countries in Europe -- Germany (at 8.3 crores). Madhya Pradesh however, has experienced a considerably less number of COVID-19 cases -- 4,595 vs 1,75,699 in Germany.

Rajasthan vs Thailand

The large desert state of our country has a population of around 7.8 crores, is not very far from the population of the most preferred tourist destinations in South-East Asia -- Thailand, at 6.95 crores in 2018. Rajasthan till date has seen around 4,727 cases of COVID-19 whereas Thailand has seen around 3,025. It is also important to note that Thailand was the first country in the world to report a COVID-19 case outside China.

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Tamil Nadu vs Turkey

In South, Tamil Nadu, with a population of around 7.6 crores has also seen a considerable rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, at 10,108. However, the number is really less when compared to a country with a similar population -- Turkey, that has reported over 1,46,457 cases of people infected with COVID-19.

Karnataka vs the United Kingdom

Karnataka has a population around 6.6 crores, which is similar to that of the United Kingdom, at 6.7 crores in 2018. However, when you compare cases of COVID-19, Karnataka is dealing with it in a better way with just 1,056 cases as opposed to 2,36,711 cases in the UK till now.

Gujarat vs France

The population of Gujarat is similar to that of France (6.3 crores vs 6.4 crores in 2018). However, the story is very different when you compare COVID-19 infected numbers. Gujarat sits at 9,931 cases at the time of writing this, whereas France has 1,41,919.

Andhra Pradesh vs Myanmar

Andra Pradesh has a total population of around 5.28 crores, whereas Myanmar is not that far, at 5.37 crores. However, it has managed to keep COVID-19 from spreading with just 178 cases reported till now, as opposed to 1930 cases in Andhra Pradesh.

Odisha vs Argentina

Odisha¡¯s population is not very different than that of South American nation Argentina (4.54 crores vs 4.45 crores in 201). Odisha in Eastern India was one of the first states in the country to take prompt actions when COVID-19 started to surface, including the announcement of schools and colleges being locked down till June 2020. Such stringent steps have also translated into better control over COVID-19 cases with just 672 reported cases till now as opposed to 7,121 cases by Argentina.

Telangana vs Poland

The newly formed state of Telangana has a population of roughly 3.8 crores, which is not very far from the European nation Poland¡¯s population at 3.7 crores in 2018. Telangana has seen a total of 1,454 cases of COVID-19 as opposed to 18,016 cases in Poland.

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Jharkhand vs Canada

As crazy as this sounds, the state of Jharkhand has a population similar to that of Canada (3.73 crores vs 3.74 crores in 2018). To put things into perspective, Jharkhand is 79,714 square kilometres large, whereas Canada is 9.985 million square kilometres. And surprisingly, Jharkhand also has considerably less number of cases of COVID-19 at just 203 vs 74,613 cases reported till now by Canada.

Kerala vs Morocco

Population in Kerela is around 3.53 crores whereas Morocco from North Africa has a population of around 3.6 crores. Comparing the number of COVID-19 cases, Kerela has reported around 576 cases whereas Morocco has reported 6,652 cases.

Assam vs Saudi Arabia

The small state of Assam in the far-east part of India is similar in population to Saudi Arabia in the Middle east (3.45 crores vs 3.26 crores in 2018). Assam has reported 90 cases of COVID-19 till date, whereas Saudi Arabia has over 49,176 cases.

Punjab vs Nepal

The state of Punjab in North India has a population of around 2.96 crores which is not far from the number of people residing in Nepal, at around 2.8 crores in 2018. Punjab, till now has reported around 1,935 cases of COVID-19, whereas Nepal has had only 276 cases of COVID-19.

Chhattisgarh vs Yemen

Chattisgarh in central India is similar in population to that of Yemen in the Middle East (2.85 crores vs 2.84 crores in 2018). Till now, Chhatisgarh has reported 66 cases of COVID-19, whereas Yemen has reported around 106 cases.

Haryana vs Madagascar

Haryana, the state bordering India¡¯s capital has a population of around 2.73 crores. Madagascar in Africa has a population of 2.69 crores. As of now, Haryana has reported around 818 cases of the novel coronavirus whereas Madagascar has reported just 238 cases.

Delhi vs Kazakhstan

The capital of our country, New Delhi is known for its population density, however, it is similar in population to the nation of Kazakhstan (1.84 crores vs 1.83 crores in 2018)

which is not only the largest land-locked country in the world but is also the ninth-largest in terms of its sheer size. Delhi has reported around 8,895 cases while Kazakhstan has reported around 5,850 cases.

Jammu & Kashmir vs Guinea

The northern-most state of our nation -- Jammu and Kashmir is similar to the country of Guinea in Africa, population-wise (1.3 crores vs 1.24 crores in 2018). Looking at the number of COVID-19 cases, Jammu and Kashmir has just 1,013 cases whereas Guinea has reported around 2,531 cases.

Uttarakhand vs Haiti

Uttarakhand has a population of around 1.1 crores in 2018, whereas Haiti in the Caribbean has a population of 1.13 crores in 2018. Comparing the cases of COVID-19, Uttarakhand has reported 82 cases of the novel coronavirus whereas Haiti has reported around 310 cases.

Himachal Pradesh vs Hong Kong

The northern state of Himachal Pradesh has a population of around 73 lakhs whereas Hong Kong from South East Asia has a population of around 73.7 lakhs as of 2018. Himachal Pradesh has reported just 76 cases of COVID-19 whereas Hong Kong (which is closer to China) has reported over 1,053 cases.

Tripura vs the Republic of Moldova

Tripura from North-East India has a population of around 40.5 lakhs, which is similar to the population of the Republic of Moldova in Eastern Europe at 40.51 lakhs as of 2018. Tripura has reported 156 cases of the novel coronavirus till date, whereas Moldova has reported a considerable 5,745 cases.

Meghalaya vs Mongolia

Meghalaya from North-East India has a population of roughly 32 lakhs, whereas the nation of Mongolia in Asia has a population of 31.70 lakhs, as of 2018. Meghalaya has reported 13 cases of COVID-19 till now, whereas Mongolia has reported 135 cases.

Manipur vs Albania

The tiny state of Manipur boasts a population of 30 lakhs, which is not that far from the population of the nation of Albania in Europe at around 28 lakhs. Manipur has reported only 3 cases of COVID-19 till date, and both the patients have been recovered, making it a COVID-19- free state in India. Albania, on the other hand, has reported 916 cases of COVID-19.

Nagaland vs Gambia

The population in the state of Nagaland is similar to the population of Gambia, in Africa (21 lakhs vs 22 lakh in 2018) Nagaland has zero reported cases of COVID-19 till date, whereas Gambia has 23 cases reported for the novel coronavirus.

Goa vs Bahrain

The most popular vacation spot in India, Goa has a population fo 15.4 lakhs, which is not very different from the population of Bahrain in the Middle East with 15.7 lakhs. Goa had reported 7 cases of COVID-19 all of which had recovered, however, last week seven more cases sprung up bringing the total infected cases to 15. Bahrain however, has reported over 6,583 cases.

Arunachal Pradesh vs Gabon

Arunachal Pradesh from the North East has a population similar to that of the nation of Gabon in Africa (15.28 lakhs vs 21.19 lakhs in 2018). Arunachal Pradesh only reported one case of COVID-19 till date which has recovered successfully whereas Gabon has reported around 1,209 cases of the novel coronavirus.

Puducherry vs Trinidad and Tobago

The southernmost union territory of India, Puducherry (also known as Pondicherry) has a population similar to that of the country of Trinidad and Tobago in South America (13.75 lakhs vs 13.89 lakhs). Looking at COVID-19 cases, Puducherry reported just 13 cases of COVID-19 whereas Trinidad and Tobago reported 116 cases.

Mizoram vs Cyprus

Another state from North East, Mizoram is similar to that of Cyprus in Western Asia (12 lakhs vs 11.7 lakhs) Comparing cases of COVID-19 cases, Mirozam reported just one which also has recovered now, making it a COVID-19 free state. Cyprus, on the other hand, has reported 910 cases of the novel coronavirus.

Chandigarh vs Eswatini

The northern union territory of Chandigarh has a population of 11.26 lakhs, similar to that of the nation of Swaziland or Eswatini, with a population of 11.4 lakhs as of 2018. Looking at COVID-19 cases, Chandigarh has reported 191 cases whereas Eswatini has reported around 190.

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Sikkim vs Macao

Sikkim, from the North East, has a similar population compared to Macao in South East Asia (6.7 lakhs vs 6.3 lakhs). Looking at COVID-19 cases, Sikkim has reported zero cases of COVID-19 till date, whereas Macao has reported 45 cases of the novel coronavirus.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands vs Malta

The small line of Islands to the South-East part of India, home to Port Blair has a population of around 4.19 lakhs which is similar to the population of the country of Malta in Europe at around 4.39 lakhs. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have reported 33 cases of COVID-19, all of which have been fully recovered, making it COVID-19 free. Malta, however, has reported around 532 cases till date.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli vs Belize

Dadra and Nagar Haveli near the state of Gujarat has a population similar to that of Belize in South America ( 3.78 lakhs vs 3.83 lakhs). The union territory has reported only one case of COVID-29 yet, whereas Belize has reported 18 cases of the novel coronavirus.

Daman and Diu vs Sao Tome and Principe

Another union territory adjoining the state of Gujarat, Daman and Diu is a beloved vacation spot for Beach lovers. It is similar in population to Sao Tome and Principe in Africa (2.2 lakhs vs 2.1 lakhs). Daman and Diu has reported zero cases of the novel coronavirus till date whereas Sao Tome and Principe has reported 166 cases.

Lakshadweep vs Dominica

The stretch of islands to the west of India in the Arabian sea, Lakshadweep has a population of 71,218 -- similar to that of the population of Dominica in South America at 71,625. There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in Lakshadweep yet, whereas Dominica has reported 16 cases of COVID-19.

Conclusion

As of yesterday, 27 Indian states and territories are faring better than a country of similar population. Is it truly because India has successfully limited the spread of COVID-19 across all its landmass or is it because a large swathe of the Indian population hasn't undergone any sort of COVID-19 testing, we'll let you decide.