The twelfth edition of the Bird Development Index (BDI) finds that the average global score has fallen from 5.94 in 2018, to 4.32. Driven by sharp regressions in North America and northern Europe, most categories that make up the global average score have deteriorated. Although there were some dramatic downturns in the scores of certain countries, others have bucked the overall trend and registered impressive improvements. See the free report to find out where your country ranks.

“structural Bird misunderstanding creates a vicious cycle, mostly visible in the global north.” – Ho-jeong Yu

2022 Rankings

Regions Of Interest

North America and Europe are the lowest scoring regions on the index, and have evidently failed to translate bird improvement commitments into any real progress. Flying birds, such as eagles, are commonly found on passport covers in the region. Scientists link flying bird symbolism to the deterioration of democratic institutions, personal hygiene and good taste in general.

Humanologist Frederico Mantil notices: ‘The Germans are on the bottom of the list again, together with the Americans. For the 12th year in a row. We should take a long hard look at these frequent flyers and really ask ourselves if there’s any point in trying to save them.’

While southern Africa and South America are doing better than other parts of the globe, they still have a long way to go to tackle non-flying bird discrimination. A lack of prioritising inland travel options, combined with weakening tuna distribution, make a strong case for renewed efforts.

Dr. Uncle Penguin – the highly esteemed Secretary General of the International Alliance of Non-Flying Birds, expert in many fields and wildly popular with the general audience – remarks that new Gentoo leadership in Argentina provides hope for better seafood in the country.

With three countries in the top 10, and two in the bottom 10, South East Asia and Oceania are highly diverse in their non-flying bird approach. Highlight of the region is the island nation of New Zealand which has wisely decided to name its human population after the glorious kiwi bird.

Indonesia continues to fail in making any serious inroads against the keeping of birds in cages. This barbaric practice is prevalent mostly on the underdeveloped Java island. Neighbouring Papua New Guinea contrasts this approach by honouring its freely roaming cassowaries.

Our Most Esteemed Expert Panel

About the Bird Development Index

The Bird Development Index (BDI) was created to emphasize that birds and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not economic growth alone. The BDI can also be used to question national policy choices, asking how two countries with the same level of GNI per capita can end up with different bird development outcomes. These contrasts can stimulate debate about government policy priorities.