Answer the question on the basis of the following table.
Below is a table that lists countries region-wise. Each region-wise list is sorted, first by birth rate and then alphabetically by the name of the country. We now wish to merge the region-wise list into one consolidated list and provide overall rankings to each country based first on birth rate and then on death rate. Thus, if some countries have the same birth rate, then the country with a lower death rate will be ranked higher. Further, countries having identical birth and death rates will get the same rank. For example, if two countries are tied for the third position, then both will be given rank $3,$ while the next country (in the ordered list) will be ranked $5.$
In the consolidated list, how many countries in Asia will rank lower than every country in South America, but higher than at least one country in Africa?
- $8$
- $7$
- $6$
- $5$