UN Human Development Index

The UN Human Development Index (HDI) measures poverty, literacy, education, life expectancy, and other factors. It is a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child welfare. The index was developed in 1990 by the Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, and has been used since 1993 by the United Nations Development Programme in its annual report.

The HDI measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human development:

• A long and healthy life, as measured by life expectancy at birth.
• Knowledge, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weight) and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrollment ratio (with one-third weight).
• A decent standard of living, as measured by GDP per capita (PPP USD).

Each year, countries are ranked according to these measures. Those high on the list often brag about it, as a means of attracting talented migrants (economically, individual capital) or discouraging potential emigrants from leaving.

Table of contents

1 2004 report 1.1 Top thirty countries 1.2 Bottom ten countries 1.3 Top/bottom three countries by continent 2 Past top countries 3 See also 4 External links

2004 report

Top thirty countries

(Note the similarity between this list and that of developed countries.)

Norway Sweden Austria  Canada  Netherlands Belgium  Iceland  United States;  Japan  Ireland

Switzerland United Kingdom Finland  Austria Luxembourg France Denmark  New Zealand; Germany  Spain

Italy  Israel  Hong Kong SAR (PRC)  Greece Singapore Portugal  Slovenia South Korea Barbados Cyprus

Most of the data used for the 2004 report came from 2001 and 2002. 19 of the bottom 20 countries are in Africa. However, not all UN member states choose to or are able to provide the necessary statistics. Notable absences from the list include Iraq, Somalia, and North Korea.

Bottom ten countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo  Central African Republic;  Ethiopia  Mozambique  Guinea-Bissau  Burundi  Mali #REDIRECT Niger  Sierra Leone;

Top/bottom three countries by continent

Africa 35. Seychelles 58. Libya 64. Mauritius ... 175.  Burkina Faso; 176. Niger 177.  Sierra Leone;	Asia 9.  Japan 22.  Israel 23.  Hong Kong SAR (PRC) ... 142.  Pakistan 149.  Yemen 158.  East Timor	Europe 1. Norway 2. Sweden 5.  Netherlands ... 69. Romania 70. Ukraine 113. Moldova
North America 4.  Canada 8.  United States; 29. Barbados ... 118.  Nicaragua 121. Guatemala 153. Haiti	Oceania 3. Austria 18.  New Zealand; 63. Tonga ... 124. Solomon Islands 129. Vanuatu 133.  Papua New Guinea;	South America 34.  Argentina 43. Chile 46. #REDIRECT ... 100.  Ecuador 104.  Guyana 114.  Bolivia

Past top countries

The number one ranked country in each year of the index.

• 2004 – Norway
• 2003 – Norway
• 2002 – Norway
• 2001 – Norway
• 2000 – Canada
• 1999 – Canada
• 1998 – Canada
• 1997 – Canada
• 1996 – Canada
• 1995 – Norway
• 1994 – Canada
• 1993 – Japan
• 1992 – Canada
• 1991 – Japan
• 1990 – Canada
• 1985 – Canada
• 1980 – Switzerland

See also

• United Nations
• Gini coefficient
• Physical quality-of-life index

External links

• Human Development Report Office
• 2004 UN Human Development Index Report (PDF)

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