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Economy > Human Development Index: Countries Compared

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Luke Metcalfe, Founder, NationMaster

Author: Luke Metcalfe, Founder, NationMaster

The Human Development Index combines multiple stats to provide a more full picture of human development. Its inputs are income (namely GNI per capita), duration of education and life expectancy. It was created in 1990 with the goal of shifting the focus towards human well-being rather than popular income-centric measures like GDP per capita.

All regions have produced steady improvements in HDI, with Asia showing the fastest growth. Sub-Saharan African grow has been slow however.

In 2013, the top 9 scoring countries are all either Northern European or English Speaking.
SHOW ALL
LESS
DEFINITION: The human development index values in this table were calculated using a consistent methodology and consistent data series. They are not strictly comparable with those in earlier Human Development Reports.
SHOW ALL
LESS

CONTENTS

# COUNTRY AMOUNT DATE GRAPH
1 Norway 0.963 2006
2 Iceland 0.956 2006
3 Australia 0.955 2006
=4 Canada 0.949 2006
=4 Luxembourg 0.949 2006
=4 Sweden 0.949 2006
7 Switzerland 0.947 2006
8 Ireland 0.946 2006
9 Belgium 0.945 2006
10 United States 0.944 2006
=11 Netherlands 0.943 2006
=11 Japan 0.943 2006
=13 Finland 0.941 2006
=13 Denmark 0.941 2006
Group of 7 countries (G7) average (profile) 0.94 2006
15 United Kingdom 0.939 2006
16 France 0.938 2006
17 Austria 0.936 2006
18 Italy 0.934 2006
19 New Zealand 0.933 2006
20 Germany 0.93 2006
21 Spain 0.928 2006
High income OECD countries average (profile) 0.924 2006
22 Hong Kong 0.916 2006
23 Israel 0.915 2006
24 Greece 0.912 2006
Eurozone average (profile) 0.911 2006
25 Singapore 0.907 2006
=26 Portugal 0.904 2006
=26 Slovenia 0.904 2006
28 South Korea 0.901 2006
European Union average (profile) 0.897 2006
29 Cyprus 0.891 2006
NATO countries average (profile) 0.889 2006
30 Barbados 0.878 2006
31 Czech Republic 0.874 2006
Non-religious countries average (profile) 0.872 2006
32 Malta 0.867 2006
Europe average (profile) 0.867 2006
33 Brunei 0.866 2006
34 Argentina 0.863 2006
35 Hungary 0.862 2006
36 Poland 0.858 2006
37 Chile 0.854 2006
38 Estonia 0.853 2006
39 Lithuania 0.852 2006
=40 Slovakia 0.849 2006
=40 Qatar 0.849 2006
=40 United Arab Emirates 0.849 2006
43 Bahrain 0.846 2006
44 Kuwait 0.844 2006
45 Croatia 0.841 2006
46 Uruguay 0.84 2006
47 Costa Rica 0.838 2006
Cold countries average (profile) 0.838 2006
48 Latvia 0.836 2006
49 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.834 2006
50 The Bahamas 0.832 2006
51 Seychelles 0.821 2006
52 Cuba 0.817 2006
53 Mexico 0.814 2006
54 Tonga 0.81 2006
Heavily indebted countries average (profile) 0.809 2006
55 Bulgaria 0.808 2006
56 Panama 0.804 2006
57 Trinidad and Tobago 0.801 2006
Eastern Europe average (profile) 0.8 2006
58 Libya 0.799 2006
59 Antigua and Barbuda 0.797 2006
60 Malaysia 0.796 2006
61 Russia 0.795 2006
=62 Romania 0.792 2006
=62 Brazil 0.792 2006
64 Mauritius 0.791 2006
65 Grenada 0.787 2006
=66 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.786 2006
=66 Belarus 0.786 2006
68 Colombia 0.785 2006
69 Dominica 0.783 2006
70 Oman 0.781 2006
71 Albania 0.78 2006
72 Thailand 0.778 2006
73 Samoa 0.776 2006
Emerging markets average (profile) 0.775 2006
=74 Venezuela 0.772 2006
=74 Saudi Arabia 0.772 2006
=74 Saint Lucia 0.772 2006
Catholic countries average (profile) 0.768 2006
Latin America and Caribbean average (profile) 0.767 2006
77 Ukraine 0.766 2006
Former Spanish colonies average (profile) 0.763 2006
78 Peru 0.762 2006
79 Kazakhstan 0.761 2006
=80 Ecuador 0.759 2006
=80 Lebanon 0.759 2006
=80 Armenia 0.759 2006
83 Philippines 0.758 2006
Middle Eastern and North Africa average (profile) 0.758 2006
Former Soviet republics average (profile) 0.755 2006
=84 Suriname 0.755 2006
=84 Paraguay 0.755 2006
=84 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.755 2006
=84 China 0.755 2006
=88 Belize 0.753 2006
=88 Jordan 0.753 2006
=88 Tunisia 0.753 2006
91 Fiji 0.752 2006
92 Sri Lanka 0.751 2006
93 Turkey 0.75 2006
94 Dominican Republic 0.749 2006
95 Maldives 0.745 2006
=96 Turkmenistan 0.738 2006
=96 Jamaica 0.738 2006
98 Iran 0.736 2006
99 Georgia 0.732 2006
=100 Gaza Strip 0.729 2006
=100 West Bank 0.729 2006
=100 Azerbaijan 0.729 2006
OPEC countries average (profile) 0.724 2006
=103 El Salvador 0.722 2006
=103 Algeria 0.722 2006
=105 Syria 0.721 2006
=105 Cape Verde 0.721 2006
107 Guyana 0.72 2006
108 Vietnam 0.704 2006
109 Kyrgyzstan 0.702 2006
110 Indonesia 0.697 2006
111 Uzbekistan 0.694 2006
112 Nicaragua 0.69 2006
113 Bolivia 0.687 2006
Former British colonies average (profile) 0.682 2006
114 Mongolia 0.679 2006
115 Moldova 0.671 2006
116 Honduras 0.667 2006
117 Guatemala 0.663 2006
=118 Vanuatu 0.659 2006
=118 Egypt 0.659 2006
120 South Africa 0.658 2006
121 Equatorial Guinea 0.655 2006
122 Tajikistan 0.652 2006
South and Central Asia average (profile) 0.646 2006
Hot countries average (profile) 0.638 2006
Muslim countries average (profile) 0.636 2006
123 Gabon 0.635 2006
124 Morocco 0.631 2006
125 Namibia 0.627 2006
126 Sao Tome and Principe 0.604 2006
127 India 0.602 2006
128 Solomon Islands 0.594 2006
129 Burma 0.578 2006
130 Cambodia 0.571 2006
131 Botswana 0.565 2006
132 Comoros 0.547 2006
South Asia average (profile) 0.546 2006
133 Laos 0.545 2006
134 Bhutan 0.536 2006
135 Pakistan 0.527 2006
136 Nepal 0.526 2006
137 Papua New Guinea 0.523 2006
=138 Bangladesh 0.52 2006
=138 Ghana 0.52 2006
140 East Timor 0.513 2006
=141 Congo, Republic of the 0.512 2006
=141 Sudan 0.512 2006
=141 Togo 0.512 2006
Former French colonies average (profile) 0.511 2006
144 Uganda 0.508 2006
145 Zimbabwe 0.505 2006
146 Madagascar 0.499 2006
147 Swaziland 0.498 2006
=148 Cameroon 0.497 2006
=148 Lesotho 0.497 2006
150 Djibouti 0.495 2006
151 Yemen 0.489 2006
Sub-Saharan Africa average (profile) 0.481 2006
152 Mauritania 0.477 2006
153 Haiti 0.475 2006
154 Kenya 0.474 2006
155 The Gambia 0.47 2006
156 Guinea 0.466 2006
157 Senegal 0.458 2006
158 Nigeria 0.453 2006
159 Rwanda 0.45 2006
160 Angola 0.445 2006
161 Eritrea 0.444 2006
162 Benin 0.431 2006
163 Cote d'Ivoire 0.42 2006
164 Tanzania 0.418 2006
165 Malawi 0.404 2006
166 Zambia 0.394 2006
167 Democratic Republic of the Congo 0.385 2006
168 Mozambique 0.379 2006
169 Burundi 0.378 2006
170 Ethiopia 0.367 2006
171 Central African Republic 0.355 2006
172 Guinea-Bissau 0.348 2006
173 Chad 0.341 2006
174 Mali 0.333 2006
175 Burkina Faso 0.317 2006
176 Sierra Leone 0.298 2006
177 Niger 0.281 2006

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Economy > Human Development Index: Countries Compared Map

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Statistics for Economy > Human Development Index

Agriculture

Statistics and graphs related to agriculture are found here. How many agricultural workers are there per hectare? Tractors? Which country produces the maximum cotton? Who is the biggest exporter of bananas? Click in if these interest you.

TOP STATS: Arable land > Hectares, Rural population, Agricultural land > Sq. km and 322 more

Background

What is the background of the country? National bird? Get a quick summary of countries in this section.

TOP STATS: Overview, National tree, Full name and 21 more

Conflict

TOP STATS: Terrorism > Global Terrorism Index, Civil war and unrest > Arab Spring death toll, War > World War I > Total deaths and 29 more

Cost of living

TOP STATS: Average monthly disposable salary > After tax, Local purchasing power, Prices at markets > Cigarettes > Pack of Marlboro and 52 more

Crime

No explanation needed for this section. Murders. Guns. Jails. Crimes. Judges. We have all of that and more out here. Actually we go deeper than your routine crime beat sections. How many adults were prosecuted? What percentage were convicted? How many were women? What is the death penalty rate in different countries? How safe do the citizens perceive they are? Do they trust the police? Will they report a crime? You'll find surprising answers here.

TOP STATS: Violent crime > Murder rate, Violent crime > Murder rate per million people, Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate and 183 more

Culture

TOP STATS: Happy Planet Index, Sexuality > Homosexuality > Legality of homosexual acts, Food and drink > Beer consumption and 67 more

Disasters

The tsunami rocked the civilized world with its widespread devastation. Learn the details of the losses incurred by the countries affected. How are the developed countries helping out? Who has pledged the most money? How do they compare? Check out...

TOP STATS: Chernobyl > Contaminated area (percent of country), Storm deaths > 2009, Tsunami > Death toll and 47 more

Economy

This category is all about money. GDP. Aid. Gross national income. Debt. Inflation. Trade balance. Foreign investment. Government spending. You get the idea.

TOP STATS: GDP, GDP per capita, Gross National Income and 3717 more

Education

Any and every statistic which can be collected about schooling and the whole education sector can be found here. What is the duration of education in different countries? Is the percentage of enrollment different for sexes? How long do students spend learning their mother tongues? What is the mathematical aptitude of the average 8 year old? How many university degrees are awarded to females? What is the percentage of students who find school boring? We've tabulated them all for you.

TOP STATS: Children out of school, primary, Pupil-teacher ratio, primary, Compulsary education duration and 908 more

Energy

How does your country fare in Traditional Fuel Consumption? In Geothermal Energy Consumption? How many barrels of oil were imported into your country last year? Does your production of hydroelectricity match your consumption? Which countries in the world successfully produce nuclear energy for consumption? What is the average energy usage per person? All your questions regarding different forms of energy, their generation and consumption have been answered here.

TOP STATS: Commercial energy use, Electricity > Consumption > Per capita, Electricity > Consumption and 2387 more

Environment

How much area is declared as protected in the different countries of the world? How many endangered species of reptiles, mammals, birds etc are found in different countries? What are the national levels of pollution? Emissions? Nuclear waste generation? Salination of water resources and expenditure for waste treatment. International treaties, ratification and complaince. You'll find almost all statistics related to environmental pollution and conservational efforts here.

TOP STATS: Marine fish catch, Ecological footprint, Pollution perceptions > Air pollution and 331 more

Geography

All the stats pertaining to the physical features of the country in question can be found here. This implies that if you are looking for the co-ordinates or map references of countries, the land area, climate, boundaries, terrain, natural resources or coastlines, your search ends here.

TOP STATS: Land area > Square miles, Area > Comparative, Climate and 102 more

Government

This category is all about the functioning of the government machinery. So, you'll find stats on the goverment administrative divisions, the executive, legistative and judiciary branches, constitution, parliamentary seats, secession attemps, suffrage, corruption - everything connected with our esteemed politicians.

TOP STATS: Government type, Legal system, Legislative branch and 392 more

Health

Statistics about the health of a country's citizens are present in this category. You can find stats related to birth weights, rates on smoking, HIV incidence, incidence of cancer, circulatory and other diseases, stats on infant and maternal mortality, life expectancy, suicide rates, teenage pergnancy and other health related topics. We also have some details on health expenditure and health care funding out here.

TOP STATS: Physicians > Per 1,000 people, Births and maternity > Total fertility rate, Human height > Average female height and 529 more

Industry

Lists all industry related stats like production of cars, buses trucks, LCVs, different industries like biotech firms and so on.

TOP STATS: Manufacturing output, Manufacturing, value added > Current US$ per capita, Manufacturing, value added > Current US$ and 94 more

Labor

You can find detailed stats on the economic activity of the labor force broken over different age-groups and sexes. We also have stats on employment in different sectors, trade union memberships, the average work time, the average number of days the workers take off or even just don't show up! How many female decision makers does a country have? Doctors? What is the normal gender division of the housework? What are the unemployment details and benefits available? How long does an average person need to work to buy a loaf of bread? A car? A television set? Compare these values for different countries.

TOP STATS: Salaries and benefits > Minimum wage, Average monthly wage > Local currency > Net, Labor force > By occupation and 374 more

Language

What are the main languages spoken in the countries? How many English language speakers are there per country? How about French and Spanish? Check out the results here..

TOP STATS: Languages, Major language(s), French status and 21 more

Lifestyle

Here we rank countries based on amphetamine and cannabis use. But more interestingly, we go into their mindset. What do the citizens of different countries think of their armed forces? Will they report a crime? Do they trust their neighbours? What about their governments? Are they happy with life in general? How charitable are they? What is their political orientation? Are they proud of their countries? Will they fight for their countries? This is an utterly captivating category.

TOP STATS: Quality of life index, Happiness level > Very happy, Happiness net and 110 more

Media

Countries are ranked here depending on the penetration level of computers, phones, fax machines, radios, television sets, mobile phones etc. We also have other stats related to media like vastness of different networks, revenue and employment in different telecom sectors here.

TOP STATS: Telephones > Mobile cellular > Per capita, Internet > Internet users per thousand people, Internet users and 429 more

Military

Want to know the size of the army in Iran? The number of tanks in Germany? Want to compare the weapon holdings in North and South Korea? Worried about the WMDs world over? Need to know the exact number of countries who have signed terrorism conventions? Or just curious about the coalition forces in the Gulf War? We've tried to collect all details available in the public domain for you here.

TOP STATS: Air force > Combat aircraft, Army > Main battle tanks, Budget and 285 more

People

Facts relating to the actual life of people are found here. So we have birth and death rates, marriage and divorce rates, single parents, one-person households and teenage pregnancies, size of households and elderly institutions, ethnicity and chinese population - just about every stat you always wanted to know! What is the average age of women when they first get married? How happy are they when compared to their mothers? What is the gender development index in different countries? What will the population be in 2020? Don't miss this category even if you didn't come searching for it specifically.

TOP STATS: Population, Age distribution > Population aged 0-14, Population > Population growth, past and future and 1058 more

Religion

Where else could you find the number of Catholics, Catholic priests, Catholic parishes, Jehovahs Witnesses and the number of permanent deacons, and compare them all between major nations in a per-capita format? Check them all here.

TOP STATS: Religions, Religions > All, Major religion(s) and 111 more

Sports

Who scored the maximum medals in the olympics? What about the summer and winter olympics? What are the latest FIFA rankings? Which country has the maximum number of Mt. Everest ascents? Get all the answers in this sports section.

TOP STATS: Chess > GrandMasters, Chess > GrandMasters per million, Winter olympic medals > All time and 508 more

Terrorism

This is a category which needs particular highlighting as the growing concern and need for awareness continues to press upon our front pages, in the minds of our leadership and politicians, and indeed, in our everyday conversations. We hope to expand this category into timely and essential data you can rely on to make sense of global and national security, political and societal violence, and our perceptions which are shaped by these notions.

TOP STATS: Global Terrorism Indicator, Number of Known Terrorist Organizations Present, Background and 30 more

Transport

Here you can find the numbers on the different modes of transportation. How many cars does a country have? Airports? What is the lenght of its highways? What proportion is paved? What about runways, heliports and ports? Lets not leave out waterways or the merchant navy. We have them all here.

TOP STATS: Road > Motor vehicles per 1000 people, Road network length > Km, Road density > Km of road per 100 sq. km of land area and 446 more

Travel

TOP STATS: Inbound tourism > Arrivals, Outbound tourism > Departures, Inbound tourism > Tourist expenditure per capita and 19 more

Weather

TOP STATS: Temperature > Highest temperature ever recorded, Precipitation, Precipitation per capita and 4 more

STAT
COUNTRIES COVERED
2011 14

Interesting observations about Economy > Human Development Index

  • Australia ranked first for human development index amongst Hot countries in 2006.
  • Norway ranked first for human development index amongst Christian countries in 2006.
  • Brunei ranked first for human development index amongst Muslim countries in 2006.
  • Iceland ranked first for human development index amongst Heavily indebted countries in 2006.
  • Argentina ranked first for human development index amongst Emerging markets in 2006.
  • Canada ranked second for human development index amongst Former British colonies in 2006.
  • Luxembourg ranked first for human development index amongst European Union in 2006.
  • Israel ranked first for human development index amongst Middle Eastern and North Africa in 2006.
  • All of the bottom 24 countries by human development index are Sub-Saharan African.
  • Lebanon ranked first for human development index amongst Former French colonies in 2006.

0

The Human Development Index is calculated using various indicators for quality of life, such as health indicators and <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_hea_car_fun_tot_per_cap> access to healthcare services</a>, <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_lif_exp_at_bir_tot_pop>life expectancy at birth</a>, <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_chi_und_rat>nutrition levels</a>, education and literacy levels, access to basic needs such as <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_dri_wat_ava>water</a> and <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_acc_to_san>sanitation</a>, and so on. It also takes into account <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_gdp_ppp>GDP per capita in terms of Purchasing Power Parity</a> and percentage of the <a href=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_pov_sha_of_all_poo_peo&int=-1>population living below the poverty line</a>. <p>Countries high on the Human Development Index tend to have annual population growth rates of 1 percent or less, high urban population percentages (65 percent and up) and balanced percentages of people under 15 and over 65 years of age. Those low on the index tend to have annual population growth rates of 1.5 percent or higher, less than 35 percent of the population in urban areas, and an under-15 population that greatly outnumbers those above 65 years (in most cases, more than 10 times as many.)

Posted on 23 Feb 2005

Ian Graham, Staff Editor

Ian Graham, Staff Editor

0

The Human Development Index combines multiple stats to provide a more full picture of human development. Its inputs are income (namely GNI per capita), duration of education and life expectancy. It was created in 1990 with the goal of shifting the focus towards human well-being rather than popular income-centric measures like GDP per capita.

All regions have produced steady improvements in HDI, with Asia showing the fastest growth. Sub-Saharan African grow has been slow however.

In 2013, the top 9 scoring countries are all either Northern European or English Speaking.

Posted on 10 Dec 2013

Luke Metcalfe, Founder, NationMaster

Luke Metcalfe, Founder, NationMaster

0

Must admit this is actually an interesting, but not wholly comprehensive index of statistics. But there's not much point in Mr. Sri Lanka or Mr. India in trying to claim one being better than the other as it changes based on what OTHER countries do. As well as interesting questions like "How can it be possible that some countries rank higher than the USA?"

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/human_development.htm

I'd say it's because of the wealth gap between rich and poor. You'll see that on the HDI list, my country (New Zealand) is (somehow!) fifth, right behind the USA's 4th, yet include income gaps, and USA falls to 23rd/30 tracked countries, and NZ doesn't even make it onto the list!! For my way of thinking, this means that the wage gap in both countries is rather poor indeed. Norway, Australia and the Netherlands must surely take some credit for making top 5 spots in both lists.

Posted on 07 Oct 2012

MJ

MJ

0

To Answer Abbas question What makes Sri Lanka a better place to live compared to India?

First of all you are right in that There are a lot of human rights(HR) abuses in Sri Lanka and that lots of civilians/children were killed during the last stages of the war.

However you have to look at the overall picture. The HDI takes into account factors GDP per capita (PPP), life expectancy,literacy, years of education etc.. Despite the disastrous war standards of living in Sri Lanka are relatively higher compared to INDIA. Literacy in Sri Lanka stands at 90%(2011) much higher than India's literacy of 74%(2011). Life expectancy in SL is at 74.4 yr s(2011) much higher than the Indian life expectancy of 65.5(2011).GDP per capita is relatively higher is SL than it is in India.

Second of all what about HR abuses in India. They aren't exactly the beacon of Human rights. For example Dalits and Adivasis In India are at the bottom of the Economic ladder of India, many are landless Labourers and are treated almost as badly as slaves by Upper caste Hindus. They are routinely abused, lynched, harrased, massacred by upper caste Hindus and the authorities(who are upper castes). Adivasis are often kicked of their lands by large companies who are after resources in their areas and authorities are complicit in this. SO PLEASE DON'T TRY TO TELL ME THAT THE HR SITUATION IN INDIA IS ANY BETTER THAN IN SRI LANKA.


Thirdly you talk about children in SR being slaughtered and rightfully so, but what about all the children India who die of malnutrition(1/2 of all malnutiritioned children in the world come from India), isn't that just as bad because they are dying of Govt. negligence. You have to remember that parts of India are as poor as Sub Saharan Africa.

Fourthly Former Yugoslav countries such as Bosnia, Serbia,Croatia committed the same HR abuses that SR is committing now. E.g Slobadan Melosovic and Bosnian death camps where 1000's or more Bosnian women and children were slaughtered. However a lot of these Yugoslav countries have much better standards of living than many 3rd world countries including your India.

Posted on 15 Apr 2011

ABCD

ABCD

0

HDI takes into account a country's life expectancy at birth, adult literacy levels and educational attainment, and real GDP per capita income in US dollars.
It measures the quality of life of every country in the world.
Stop treating it as anything else.

Posted on 01 Apr 2011

Amy

Amy

0

Marie ,

The HDI of a country is based on different factors.
the main reason for the uk being 15th is probably to do with the literacy rate being higher than chinas and also the number of people that are able to read and write to a certain standard before a certain age.
Hope this helps

Posted on 26 Feb 2011

Rosie

Rosie

0

I think United Kingdom goes down. Becuase they support terrorist organisations such as L.T.T.E. We thought that UK is so democratic and secure. They even couldnt give good security to conduct a lecture at the Oxford University by the Sri Lankan president Mr Mahinda rajapakse. They are poor in every aspect. They have taken pounds from tamil terrorists diaspora. So weak country.

Posted on 15 Dec 2010

Rohan

Rohan

0

Some of the figures are incorrect in Sri Lanka's point of view. Population below poverty is around 12 percent. But in here it 22%. Also tourists arrivals upto December 12 is 600000. Otherwise Sri Lanka's rank will go up

Posted on 15 Dec 2010

Rohan

Rohan

0

@ Belanger:
Your comment is clear and informative, but are you sure about the veracity of your last sentence? "If a country wants political and financial power they have no choice but to sacrifice the social well being of its citizens."

By comparing the GINI index and the GPD per capita (both available on this site) it appears that a great many of the countries that invest heavily in social equality are also very wealthy. The US is unusual in being wealthy *despite* great inequality.

Posted on 11 Nov 2010

BillD

BillD

0

Think Human Development Index should see how Bhutan is carrying out happiness index. Much better. Education and wealth makes people suffer more...more we know more get confused and more desire. Basic necessities is enough.

Posted on 05 Nov 2010

Rock

Rock

0

There are many comments on here that show a lack of understanding of what the HDI is about. It is published by the United Nations Development Program annually and it looks at far more than economics. It takes into account life expectancy, gender equality, health care, literacy levels, education, child well being, etc. It is not rigged or fixed. It is a comprehensive report based on facts from each country. Norway is at the top because it is a country that promotes social programs and values the social welfare of it's citizens. Investing is social programs equals higher quality of life all around. The USA, while powerful on a political and economic level is not advanced in its social programs. This is not a put down on the United States. It's just a fact. If you look at the social investment made by all the countries ranked above the USA you will understand this. If a country wants political and financial power they have no choice but to sacrifice the social well being of its citizens.

Posted on 15 Oct 2010

Belanger

Belanger

0

There are many comments on here that show a lack of understanding of what the HDI is about. It is published by the United nations Development Program annually and it looks at far more than economics. It takes into account life expectancy, gender equality, health care, literacy levels, education, child well being, etc. This is why the USA is where they are. It is not rigged or fixed. It is a comprehensive report based on facts from each country. Norway is at the top because it is a country that promotes social programs and values the social welfare of it's citizens. investing is social programs equals higher quality of life all around. The USA, while powerful on a political and economic level (although it owes trillions of dollars to other countries including China) is not advanced in its social programs. This is not a put down on the United States. It's just a fact. If you look at the social investment made by all the countries ranked above the USA you will understand this. If a country wants political and financial power they have no choice but to sacrifice the social well being of it's citizens.

Posted on 15 Oct 2010

Belanger

Belanger

0

The US is #13 on the latest report. Of the top 10 countries on the most recent report, all of them have a smaller wealth gap than the United States and some form of universal healthcare. The wealth gap, although not black and white in terms of correlation, is statistically significant.

Posted on 07 Feb 2010

Something interesting

Something interesting

0

Countries high on the Human Development Index tend to have annual population growth rates of 1 percent or less, high urban population percentages (65 percent and up) and balanced percentages of people under 15 and over 65 years of age. Those low on the index tend to have annual population growth rates of 1.5 percent or higher, less than 35 percent of the population in urban areas, and an under-15 population that greatly outnumbers those above 65 years (in most cases, more than 10 times as many.)

Posted on 26 Jan 2010

aiana katrina mendoza

aiana katrina mendoza

0

It is impossible for countries with a low HDI to move higher in the index without getting a stable government as there is an obvious correlation between poorer countries and those with wars and corrupt governments. No aid should be given to these countries either as (like in Zimbabwe's case) the money given to them goes straight into the burgeoning pockets of those in the government.

Posted on 10 Jan 2010

alexwisdom

alexwisdom

0

I do not know why developed countries like to see and continue to see developed countries like Ethiopia remaining on the bottom of HDI. What I think is that they must give their support-support that can really help them move out from that rampant poverty and the over 83 million people can see something different.
But with that fire fighting like support that is just for daily consumption, I do not think the HDI will be different in the coming decade even!

Posted on 27 Oct 2009

Solomon Wakjira

Solomon Wakjira

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