Latest news with #2025HumanDevelopmentReport
Muscat Daily
7 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman ranked 50th in Human Development Index
Muscat – Oman has improved its ranking by nine places to 50th in the latest Human Development Index (HDI) released last week by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The 2025 Human Development Report, titled A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence , reveals an unprecedented slowdown in human development progress. It analyses progress across a range of indicators, including health, education and income, which form the basis of the index. Projections for 2024 indicate stalled progress in all regions globally. Oman is classified among countries with 'Very high human development'. The sultanate's HDI now stands at 0.858, up from 0.819 last year. Life expectancy at birth has risen to 80 years from 73.9 years in 2024 and expected years of schooling have increased to 13.4 years from 13 years, while mean years of schooling remain 11.9 years. Gross national income per capita is now US$36,096, up from US$32,967 last year – all key components of HDI. Among Gulf Cooperation Council states, the UAE leads at 15th place, followed by Saudi Arabia (37th), Bahrain (38th), Qatar (43rd), Oman (50th) and Kuwait (52nd). Globally, the highest-ranked countries are Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The lowest-ranked are Niger, Chad, the Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan. The report highlights how artificial intelligence could potentially reignite development, but warns of weak progress despite the world moving past the crises of 2020-2021. Excluding these crisis years, the projected increase in global human development for 2025 is the smallest since 1990. 'For decades, we have been on track to reach a very high human development world by 2030, but this deceleration signals a very real threat to global progress,' said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. 'If 2024's sluggish progress becomes 'the new normal', the 2030 milestone could slip by decades making our world less secure, more divided, and more vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks.' The report also highlights growing inequality between countries with 'Low HDI' and 'Very High HDI' for the fourth consecutive year, reversing a long-term trend of narrowing gaps between wealthy and poor nations.
Al Etihad
12-05-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
UAE ranks 1st regionally, 15th globally in UN Human Development Index
12 May 2025 12:50 ABU DHABI (WAM) The UAE has maintained its leading position among countries with 'very high human development', climbing 11 spots globally compared to its 2021–2022 ranking, in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UAE ranked 15th globally out of 193 countries covered by the report, outperforming nations including Canada, the US, Japan, Australia, and Korea. It remains the only Arab country in the top 20 — a distinction reflecting its commitment to a comprehensive development vision that prioritises human wellbeing. The country's approach integrates healthcare, education, and quality of life, positioning it as a global model for sustainability and human capital 2025 Human Development Report, 'A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)', gave the UAE an HDI score of UAE scored high on all four main indicators. Life expectancy at birth in the UAE reached 82.9 years, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on Good Health and Well-being. Expected years of schooling stood at 15.6, and Average years of schooling at 13, supporting SGD 4 on quality education. Gross national income per capita reached $71.142, contributing to SDG 8 on decent work and economic bin Mohamed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention, said the UAE's leading position reflects its sustained investment in a world-class healthcare system that promotes innovation and ensures high-quality services, aligned with the country's long-term vision for a healthy and sustainable bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, stressed that education has always been central to the UAE's development strategy. She highlighted the adoption of adaptive, forward-looking education policies designed to prepare future generations for competitiveness and innovation, particularly in fields such as artificial Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, noted that the UAE's human-centric development model leverages healthcare, education, and innovation as pillars for a prosperous and inclusive future. She said the country's rise in the HDI rankings demonstrates proactive and future-ready policymaking that prioritises human wellbeing alongside economic report underscored the growing impact of AI on human development, warning of widening gaps between high- and low-development countries, and calling for flexible, human-focused strategies in healthcare, education, and living standards. It emphasised that human capital remains key in the digital UAE also ranked third globally in net migration of AI-skilled professionals in 2023, based on LinkedIn data — underscoring its appeal as a global hub for AI talent. The report noted that high-income countries like the UAE are net beneficiaries of specialised talent, while lower-income nations face losses. It called for a cooperative digital economy where humans and AI work in tandem, with a focus on empowering people through knowledge and technology for inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
How did India's national health programmes contribute to increased longevity?
The story so far India has registered a rise on the Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 130 out of 193 countries as per the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) released earlier this week by the United Nations Development Programme. The country ranked 133 in 2022. India's HDI value increases from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, placing the country in the medium human development category. The recent report added that India's life expectancy is the highest since the inception of the index, signalling a strong recovery from the pandemic and its impact on life expectancy. Life expectancy rose from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, the highest recorded since the index began. Why has life expectancy improved? According to the report this can be attributed to a number of factors including the country's overall push for investment and inclusive development. Angela Lusigi, resident representative, UNDP India said that rising life expectancy could be attributed to India's robust recovery from the pandemic and its investments and commitment to long-term human well-being. Credit is also being given to renewed focus on women-led development and quality education and healthcare for all. The report notes that national health programmes by successive governments such as the National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Poshan Abhiyaan have also contributed significantly to this achievement. Besides this, children today are expected to stay in school for 13 years on average, up from 8.2 years in 1990. Initiatives like the Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Education Policy 2020 have enhanced outcomes. Giving insight on the economic front, the report notes that India's Gross National Income per capita rose over four times, from $2167.22 in 1990 to $9046.76 in 2023 and this can be attributed to investments in programmes like MGNREGA, Jan Dhan Yojana, and digital inclusion that have contributed to poverty reduction. Importantly, 135 million Indians escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21. How has India's maternal/infant mortality rate improved? As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), on May 7, 2025, India has continued to witness a significant improvement in key maternal and child health indicators. The latest data indicates that India has witnessed a steady downward trend in maternal and child mortality towards achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 targets with its progress outpacing global average. Data notes that maternal mortality ratio dropped significantly from 130 to 93 per lakh live births, infant mortality rate declined from 39 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 27 per 1000 live births in 2021; neonatal mortality rate has fallen from 26 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 19 per 1000 live births in 2021 and under-five mortality rate has dropped from 45 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 31 per 1000 live births in 2021. 'These sustained improvements are a result of strategic interventions and sustained efforts where the government's flagship health schemes are seamlessly integrated to guarantee quality healthcare services—completely free of cost, with zero tolerance for denial of care. Ayushman Bharat, the world's largest health assurance initiative, provides an annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family, ensuring financial protection and access to essential services. Also, focused interventions ensure that every pregnant woman is entitled to free institutional delivery, including Caesarean sections, along with complimentary transport, medication, diagnostics, and nutrition support in public health facilities are contributing factors,'' said a senior Health Ministry official. Also Read: A step up: On India and the 2025 Human Development Report What are the challenges ahead? The report notes that despite the progress made toward ensuring a longer life span for Indians, challenges persist. Inequality reduces India's HDI by 30.7%, one of the highest losses in the region. While health and education inequality have improved, income and gender disparities remain significant. The report also underscores a broader global slowdown in human development. The 2025 HDR reveals that the current pace of progress is the slowest since 1990 – and India is no exception. 'Had pre-2020 trends continued, the world would be on track to reach very high human development by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal timelines. Now, that milestone risks being delayed by decades,'' notes the report.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) 2025: Top 10 highest and lowest ranked countries — where does India rank?
Human Development Index (HDI) 2025 Ranking List: Human development is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown accompanied by weak progress driven by trade tensions, rising debt crises, and joblessness across diverse industries, as per the latest UNDP 2025 Human Development Report. It further noted the widening gap in inequality between countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) scores and those with very high HDI scores for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting a stark reversal of a historical trend where such inequalities were decreasing. In a notable mention, European nations continue to dominate the top positions in HDI 2025, with eight of the top ten spots going to countries from the continent; meanwhile, the major global economy, the United States, is positioned at 13th globally. Asian economies such as Hong Kong (SAR), which ranks 8th; Singapore, 13th; South Korea, 20th; and Japan, 23rd, all the countries falling into the very high human development category. China, on the other hand, ranks 78th in the high human development category. Source: Human Development Index – UNDP Human Development Report 2025 On the contrary, Pakistan and the countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region rank incredibly low in the HDI 2025, falling in the low human development category. Source: Human Development Index – UNDP Human Development Report 2025 On the other hand, India shows steady upward movement in the HDI rankings, ranking 130 in the 2025 UNDP report. The country's HDI value rose from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, placing India in the medium human development category and bringing it closer to the high human development threshold (HDI ≥ 0.700). Since 1990, India's HDI value has soared by over 53%, outpacing global and South Asian averages. This reflects consistent advancements in crucial areas of human development, supported by economic growth and focused welfare initiatives. The UNDP's 2025 report assesses global development through the lens of various indicators of the Human Development Index (HDI), which includes metrics related to health, education, and income levels. Projections for 2024 indicate that progress on the HDI is stagnating across all regions worldwide. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India's HDI ranking improves for 2023
India continued its rise on the Human Development Index (HDI), improving its ranking from 133 in 2022 to 130 out of 193 countries in 2023, according to the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday. Transit oriented development site at Karkardooma, East Delhi being developed by DDA. The planned densified mixed development is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in New Delhi, India, on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Hindustan Times) The 2025 HDR, titled 'A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)', linked India's progress to improvements in health, education, and income. The report highlighted the critical role of AI in shaping the next chapter of human development — particularly in fast-growing economies like India. India's HDI increased from 0.644 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023 even as the country remained in the medium human development category, moving closer to the threshold for high human development (HDI ≥ 0.700), with its score at par with Bangladesh's. Pakistan ranked 168th (0.544), Nepal 145th (0.622), and Sri Lanka 89th (0.776). According to the report, life expectancy in India increased slightly from 71.7 years in 2022 to 72 years in 2023, marking the highest level recorded for the country. While expected years of schooling remained nearly unchanged, moving from 12.96 to 12.95 years, mean years of schooling saw a notable increase from 6.57 to 6.88 years, the report said. The report lauded India's progress in school education, especially from 1990, and credited initiatives such as the Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, quality and learning outcomes remain areas for continued focus, it said. Additionally, India's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, measured in 2021 purchasing power parity (PPP), rose from $8,475.68 to $9,046.76, reflecting ongoing economic growth. 'We congratulate India on its notable progress in the Human Development Index, rising from rank 133 in 2022 to 130 in 2023. This advancement reflects sustained improvements in key dimensions of human development, particularly in mean years of schooling and national income per capita,' Angela Lusigi, resident representative, UNDP India, said. Lusigi added that India's life expectancy reaching its highest level since the inception of the index is a testament to the country's robust recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and its investments and commitment to long-term human well-being. On the Gender Development Index (GDI), women scored 0.631 compared to men's 0.722, with India ranking 102nd on the GDI with a score of 0.403, lagging in reproductive health, political representation, and workforce participation. The report referenced ethical concerns in India's gig economy, citing labour actions by female workers. 'These efforts culminated in the largest nationwide labour action by female gig workers working with Urban Company in India to resist algorithmic management practices,' it said. Among BRICS members, India trailed Brazil (89th), Russia (59th), China (75th), and South Africa (110th). Regionally, Sri Lanka led while Nepal and Bhutan lagged. The report said India is also positioning itself as a leader in the global AI landscape. The country has the highest self-reported AI skills penetration and is now retaining more of its homegrown AI talent — 20% of Indian AI researchers remain in the country, up from nearly zero in 2019. Globally, HDI progress slowed to its weakest pace since 1990, excluding pandemic years. The gap between very high and low HDI countries widened for the fourth consecutive year, reversing decades of narrowing disparities. All regions faced stalled HDI growth projections for 2024. 'If 2024's sluggish progress becomes 'the new normal', that 2030 milestone could slip by decades—making our world less secure, more divided, and more vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks,' said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner.
