Bahrain stands tall: Ranks 3rd in Arab region in new UN Human Development report
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This ranking reflects Bahrain's strong performance across key dimensions of development including health, education, and income.
TL;DR:
Bahrain is ranked 3rd in the Arab world and 38th globally in the 2025 UN Human Development Report with an HDI score of 0.899.
The HDI measures countries on health, education, and income indicators, with higher scores indicating better human development outcomes.
Bahrain trails the UAE (15th globally, 0.940) and Saudi Arabia (37th globally, 0.900), signifying a high level of human development in the region.
Bahrain's position in 2025 UNHD Report
The 2025 report places Bahrain firmly within the "very high human development" category. Among Arab nations, only the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia ranked higher—UAE secured the 15th spot globally with a score of 0.940 and Saudi Arabia was 37th with 0.900.
Other regional rankings include Qatar fourth among Arab states (43rd globally, 0.886), Oman fifth (50th globally, 0.858), and Kuwait sixth (52nd globally, 0.852).
In broader geographic terms, Bahrain's ranking shows steady progress and highlights its commitment to improving quality of life for its people.
What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistical measure developed by the United Nations to assess a country's average achievements in three fundamental dimensions of human development:
Health: Measured by life expectancy at birth, indicating how long people live on average.
Education: Assessed through the mean years of schooling for adults and expected years of schooling for children entering school.
Income: Represented by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity, which reflects the average income level and standard of living.
Each dimension is normalized on a scale from 0 to 1, where 1 indicates the highest achievable level in that dimension.
The HDI is then calculated as the geometric mean of these three indices, producing a score from 0 to 1. A higher HDI score means a country provides better opportunities for a long, healthy life, knowledge acquisition, and a decent standard of living.
Beyond just economic metrics, the HDI emphasizes human well-being as the true measure of development, influencing policymakers to prioritize health, education, and equitable income.
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Regional and global comparisons
Countries ranking above Bahrain in the HDI include some of the world's most developed nations such as Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Denmark, all with HDI scores above 0.95. Bahrain's placement at 38th globally signals its advancement towards higher human development alongside these economically and socially thriving countries. In the Arab region, Bahrain's ranking behind UAE and Saudi Arabia confirms its robust healthcare system, strong educational institutions, and growing economic prosperity.
The HDI also underscores Bahrain's success in improving key social indicators that affect quality of life.
Bahrain's 2025 UN Human Development Report ranking as third in the Arab world and 38th globally with an HDI of 0.899 underscores its significant strides in public health, education, and income growth. The HDI's comprehensive framework showcases Bahrain's commitment to sustainable human development, emphasizing not just economic growth but the overall well-being and capabilities of its citizens. This strong performance places Bahrain as a regional leader in development and reflects ongoing efforts to improve social services, economic opportunities, and quality of life for all its residents.
FAQ
1. What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?
The HDI is a composite measure by the UN that assesses a country's progress in health (life expectancy), education (years of schooling), and income (gross national income per capita). It indicates overall human development beyond just economic growth.
The HDI is a composite measure by the UN that assesses a country's progress in health (life expectancy), education (years of schooling), and income (gross national income per capita). It indicates overall human development beyond just economic growth. 2. Where does Bahrain rank in the 2025 Human Development Report?
Bahrain ranks 3rd among Arab countries and 38th globally with an HDI score of 0.899.
Bahrain ranks 3rd among Arab countries and 38th globally with an HDI score of 0.899. 3. Which Arab countries ranked higher than Bahrain?
The United Arab Emirates ranked 15th globally with a score of 0.940, and Saudi Arabia ranked 37th with a score of 0.900.
The United Arab Emirates ranked 15th globally with a score of 0.940, and Saudi Arabia ranked 37th with a score of 0.900. 4. What does Bahrain's HDI score reflect about the country?
It reflects Bahrain's strong performance in healthcare, education, and income, placing it in the "very high human development" category and demonstrating its commitment to improving quality of life.
It reflects Bahrain's strong performance in healthcare, education, and income, placing it in the "very high human development" category and demonstrating its commitment to improving quality of life. 5. How is the HDI calculated?
The HDI combines normalized scores for life expectancy, mean years of schooling, expected schooling years, and adjusted gross national income per capita, producing a score between 0 and 1.
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