Determining the South Asian country most similar to Sub-Saharan Africa requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the Country Similarity Index. The index attempts to quantify how similar countries are to each other relative to other countries, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
The data shows that India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have about the same amount of similarity to Sub-Saharan Africa. On the other end of the spectrum, Bhutan is the least similar.
(The following countries are considered to be part of the Sub-Saharan African region: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe)
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh all have compelling reason to be considered the most similar country in South Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Pakistan: Pakistan’s similarities with Sub-Saharan Africa stem from its colonial legacy, ethnic diversity, economic challenges, and political instability. The country shares a history of British colonial rule, internal ethnic and sectarian tensions, and struggles with poverty, inequality, and governance issues, making it uniquely akin to many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s resemblance to Sub-Saharan Africa lies in its high population density, vulnerability to natural disasters, and economic challenges. With its densely populated urban centers, susceptibility to floods and cyclones, and ongoing economic development struggles, Bangladesh mirrors the socioeconomic and environmental realities of many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
India: India’s likeness to Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by its vast population, cultural diversity, and geographical challenges. India’s large and diverse population, encompassing numerous ethnicities, languages, and religions, along with its varied geography prone to earthquakes, floods, and droughts, aligns it closely with the demographic, cultural, and environmental complexities of Sub-Saharan Africa.
