In the most recent report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pakistan moved up three spots in the world’s Human Development Index (HDI) rankings, landing at 161st out of 191 nations.
Its previous ranking in the 2021/22 report was 164th, however this is an improvement given the global drop in development that the Covid-19 epidemic is blamed for.
With its inclusion of variables including life expectancy, educational attainment, and per capita income, the HDI functions as a complete metric. The Human Development Report was first published in 1990 with the assistance of the late Dr. Mahbubul Haq, a former finance minister of Pakistan. Its goal is to shed light on patterns in world development.
The most recent research, titled “Breaking the Gridlock,” highlights growing gaps across various socioeconomic classes even if the world human development index reached record highs in 2023. Rich countries have made great strides, but the majority of the world’s poorest countries are still facing problems that have gotten worse since the Covid-19 pandemic.
India (ranked 132nd), Sri Lanka (ranked 73rd), Bangladesh (ranked 129th), Maldives (ranked 90th), Nepal (ranked 143rd), and Bhutan (ranked 127th) all rank higher in the South Asian HDI than Pakistan. Afghanistan is ranked 180th.
This year’s rankings are notable for having Switzerland at the top, followed by Norway and Iceland, and nations like South Sudan, Somalia, and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the rear.
Concerned about the growing gap in human development between rich and poor countries, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner emphasized the pressing need for international cooperation in tackling global issues. These views were mirrored by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who emphasized the value of international cooperation in accomplishing sustainable development goals.
The Human Development Report also notes the existence of a “democracy paradox,” in which leaders who may betray democratic ideals are endorsed alongside those who embrace democracy. This contradiction has encouraged political polarization and inward-looking policy measures, along with sentiments of helplessness and government control.
In light of the 2023 heat wave and the fast development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the research emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts to tackle climate change and control technology progress.
Achim Steiner, the head of UNDP, emphasized the need to invest in integrated solutions in order to confront difficult global issues and promote a shared future.
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