World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) | 0.950 and over 0.900–0.949 0.850–0.899 0.800–0.849 0.750–0.799 | 0.700–0.749 0.650–0.699 0.600–0.649 0.550–0.599 0.500–0.549 | 0.450–0.499 0.400–0.449 0.350–0.399 under 0.350 not available | (Color-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems.
This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program\'s Human Development Report 2007/2008, compiled on the basis of 2005 data and published on November 27, 2007. It covers 175 U.N. member countries (out of 192), along with: Hong Kong (SAR of China) and PA-governed territories. 17 U.N. member countries are not included due to lack of data. The average HDI of regions of the World and groups of countries are also included for comparison.
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standards of living for countries worldwide. It is a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child welfare. It is used to distinguish whether the country is a developed, a developing, or an under-developed country, and also to measure the impact of economic policies on quality of life. The index was developed in 1990 by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq and Indian economist Amartya Sen.[About HDRO. United Nations Development Program (2006). Retrieved on 2006-10-30.]
Countries fall into three broad categories based on their HDI: high, medium, and low human development.
Complete list of countries
- â–² = increase.
- â–¬ = steady.
- â–¼ = decrease.
- Similar HDI values in the current list do not lead to ranking ties, since the HDI rank is actually determined using HDI values to the sixth decimal point.
High
Medium
Low
Not calculated by the UN
| Country
| HDI
| Year of publication
|
Republic of China (Taiwan)[As the UN does not recognize the Republic of China (ROC) as a state, the HDI report does not include data for "Taiwan, Province of China" (the term used by the UN to refer to the domain of the Republic of China; see Political status of Taiwan). The ROC\'s government calculated its HDI as of 2005 to be 0.932 based on the following data: life expectancy of 77.4 years; adult literacy rate of 97.3%; combined gross enrollment rate of 100%; and GDP per capita (PPP) of US$28,552. If it were included in the UN\'s HDI figures as of 2005, the ROC would rank 23rd (behind Germany and in front of Israel). National Statistics, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (Chinese). Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-24.] | 0.932 | 2006 (compiled on the basis of 2005 data)
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Macau SAR, China[The UN did not calculate the HDI of Macau. The government of Macau calculates its own HDI as of 2004 as 0.909. If it were included in the UN\'s HDI figures as of 2004, Macau would rank 25th (behind Greece and in front of Singapore). 2006 Macao in Figures (English). Statistics and Census Service, Macau SAR (2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-02.] | 0.909 | 2006 (compiled on the basis of 2004 data)
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Montenegro[The Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognoses (ISSP), in Podgorica, issued a study on Montenegro in collaboration with the UNDP. Human development report for Montenegro.] | 0.799 | 2005 (compiled on the basis of 2004 data)
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