A survey finds India among 25 best countries to live in 2020 but respondents say it is difficult for children and women. (Photo for representation: Reuters)

A survey reflecting perception about 73 countries has thrown up both good and bad news for India. The survey says India is among the best 25 countries to live in 2020. There are only four Asian countries - China, Singapore, South Korea and United Arab Emirates -- placed above India in the list of best countries.

India has moved two places up in the survey, conducted by the US News and the World Report in association with the Wharton School of the US, over its 2019 ranking. It was ranked 27 last year.

But the survey also showed that people don't have a very good perception about India in the matters of raising children in the country or the status of women here.

In the list of best countries to raise children, India stands at 59the position. A disciplinarian nation like Singapore is ranked 22, and even countries facing internal strife such as Kenya and Egypt are placed above India in the list of best countries to raise children. However, India has improved its ranking in 2020 by six places, from 65th position in 2019.

The concern about India being "not good" country for children finds validity in an Indian Railways report that came out on Wednesday. The railways said 16,457 children were rescued from trains and railway stations from across the country in 2019. This means the Railway Protection Force (RPF) rescued nearly 46 children every day.

In the list of best countries for women, India ranks 58 for 2020, slipping one place compared to its 2019 ranking. West Asian countries, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are placed above India. Immediate neighbours, such as China and Sri Lanka are also considered better for women in the survey.

Surprisingly, South Africa with a rate of murder of 36.4 per lakh population -- far higher than India's 2.2 -- and overall the crime rate for rape at 72.1 -- against India's 5.2 -- is placed 15 ranks above India in the list of best countries for women. But then it is more about perception.