mKeeping a country progress is not just about its economy or skyscrapers, which is how people live. In this case, the Human Development Index (HDI) is an appropriate indicator. It is United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offers a broader perspective that considers health, education and national income. It’s a way to focus on more meaningful aspects: whether people have the opportunity to live long, healthy and fulfilling lives.
HDI rankings are important because they help cut clichés, surface-level statistics and show which countries really create environments that support people’s living standards. They give you insight into progress beyond GDP numbers. In this article, we will look at countries that rank the highest in the Human Development Index, countries that live well in people and why it is important.
List of top countries for HDI rankings
We have curated a list of top countries through HDI rankings, from The latest UNDP report
| ranking |
nation |
Human Development Index (HDI) Value |
| 1 |
Switzerland |
0.967 |
| 2 |
Norway |
0.966 |
| 3 |
Iceland |
0.959 |
| 4 |
Hong Kong, China (SAR) |
0.956 |
| 5 |
Denmark |
0.952 |
| 6 |
Sweden |
0.952 |
| 7 |
Germany |
0.950 |
| 8 |
Ireland |
0.950 |
| 9 |
Singapore |
0.949 |
| 10 |
Australia |
0.946 |
| 11 |
Netherlands |
0.946 |
| 12 |
Belgium |
0.942 |
| 13 |
Finland |
0.942 |
| 14 |
Liechtenstein |
0.942 |
| 15 |
U.K. |
0.940 |
| 16 |
New Zealand |
0.939 |
| 17 |
United Arab Emirates |
0.937 |
| 18 |
Canada |
0.935 |
| 19 |
South Korea |
0.929 |
| 20 |
Luxembourg |
0.927 |
How is the Human Development Index (HDI) calculated?
The Human Development Index considers three key data points: health, education and economic status to balance the development of people around the world. This is related to tracking policies, but rather to measure the outcomes that affect daily life.
- Health is measured by the average lifespan of people in a country. Higher life expectancy scores indicate better living conditions, access to health care, nutrition and overall well-being.
- Education is measured in two ways: the number of years an adult spends in school and the expected number of children receiving academic performance. Together these numbers allow us to gain insight into current and future learning visits.
- The economic indicators for HDI are based on purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita gross national income (GNI). This indicator tells us the average income and reflects the standard of living.
Each of these components scales between 0 and 1, and the final HDI uses the formula: Calculate:
Key metrics used in HDI rankings
Key indicators that provide a more comprehensive human well-being are:
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): It is calculated as the total number of deaths from 1,000 live births. It reflects access to health care, maternal care and young child nutrition. In India, Infant mortality rate From 32 infant deaths in 2018 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020.
- Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): It shows every 1,000 living mothers per 1,000 live births during pregnancy or delivery. These data provide insight into women’s health and health care systems’ ability to support childbirth. according to Report from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfarematernal mortality rate dropped from 1.3 million live birth rate to 97.
- Adult literacy rate: This value means that the number of people aged 15 and above can read and write fluently. It reflects the country’s efforts in the education system.
- People below the poverty line: The percentage of people living below the poverty line is calculated based on daily calorie consumption. Anyone who consumes less than the average calorie intake (below 2,100 to 2,400 calories) is classified below the poverty line. This data reveals a direct correlation between income and basic nutritional needs.
Together, all these indicators help us understand the gaps and progress in the ranking of the Human Development Index, even for developed countries.
Why is HDI so important?
If you are a student looking for better learning opportunities or considering transfers with your family, you can find better living conditions by improving your education, work safety and health care systems. Most of us weigh these basic but fundamental factors before making life-changing decisions to move to another country.
HDI can directly influence our decisions, such as where we choose to live, study, or invest. It is easier for countries with stronger HDI rankings such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Hong Kong to attract global talent, international business and development assistance. That’s why governments implement policies to improve public health, expand educational opportunities and reduce income gaps. Countries with value from 0.8 to 1.0 have a high human development index and are considered the best place to live.
FAQ (FAQ)
1. What is the HDI ranking in India?
Currently India Ranking The Human Development Index score is 134th place with 0.644. Despite its progress in education and health care, factors such as income inequality and access to equitable access to quality public services remain challenges.
2. Which country has the lowest HDI?
Countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan, Liberia, Tanzania and Sudan have the lowest HDI, with values ranging from 0.38 to 0.54.
3. What are the limitations of HDI?
Although HDI is a good indicator, it ignores some key factors such as income inequality, environmental sustainability, political freedom and gender equality.
