Human Development Index 2024-25
First, what is the Human Development Report (HDR)? Think of it like an annual report card for countries — not on how rich they are, but how well their people are living. It measures life expectancy, education, and per capita income, combining these into a single number called the Human Development Index (HDI) which we have already discussed.
🌍 Current Global Status of HDI (2023)
- Top Rankers:
- Iceland tops the chart with an HDI of 0.972
- Followed by Norway and Switzerland
- Bottom Ranker:
- South Sudan sits at the bottom (193rd), with an HDI of 0.388
This is a reflection of conflict, poor infrastructure, and fragile institutions.
- South Sudan sits at the bottom (193rd), with an HDI of 0.388
| 🏆 Rank | 🌍 Country | 📈 HDI Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 0.972 |
| 2 | Norway | 0.970 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 0.970 |
| 4 | Denmark | 0.962 |
| 5 | Germany | 0.959 |
| 5 | Sweden | 0.959 |
| 7 | Australia | 0.958 |
| 8 | Hong Kong (China SAR) | 0.955 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 0.955 |
| 17 | United States | 0.938 |
| 130 | India | 0.685 |
🇮🇳 India’s Position in HDI 2023
- Rank: 130
- HDI Value: 0.685 (up from 0.676 in 2022)
- Category: Medium Human Development
Since 1990, India’s HDI has increased by 53%, faster than both the global average and the South Asian regional average.
🏘️ Comparison with Neighbouring Countries
| Country | Rank | HDI Value |
|---|---|---|
| China | 75 | Higher |
| Sri Lanka | 78 | Higher |
| Bhutan | 127 | Higher |
| India | 130 | — |
| Bangladesh | 130 | Equal |
| Nepal | 145 | Lower |
| Myanmar | 149 | Lower |
| Pakistan | 168 | Lower |
🔍 Observation: India is ahead of many neighbours but still behind China and Sri Lanka, especially in terms of quality-of-life indicators.
📈 Highlights of India’s HDI Progress
1. Health Improvements
- Life Expectancy rose from 58.6 years (1990) to 72 years (2023)—the highest ever for India.
- This progress is partly due to flagship schemes:
- Ayushman Bharat – Health coverage
- Janani Suraksha Yojana – Maternal health
- Poshan Abhiyaan – Nutritional improvements
2. Educational Advancements
- Average years of schooling increased from 8.2 years to 13 years since 1990.
- Driven by reforms like:
- Right to Education (RTE) Act
- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
This means children are staying in school longer, which directly boosts their human capital.
3. Economic Growth & Poverty Reduction
- GNI per capita increased from $2,167 (1990) to $9,046 (2023).
- 135 million people exited multidimensional poverty between 2015–16 and 2019–21.
📊 Multidimensional poverty includes not just income, but also access to education, health, and housing.
⚠️ Key Challenges Highlighted in the HDI Report
1. AI and Human Development
- The Human Development Report 2025 warns against AI replacing humans.
- Suggests a “complementarity economy”, where AI should augment human skills, not replace them.
2. Widening Inequalities
- Despite tech growth, global income and opportunity gaps are widening.
- In India, income inequality causes a 30.7% loss in HDI value—among the highest in the region.
- Gender disparities also persist—in education, jobs, and healthcare.
The report calls for inclusive AI policies so that technology doesn’t deepen the global divide between rich and poor.
🛠️ Three Key Recommendations by the Report
- Build Complementarity Economy: Humans and AI must work together, not in competition.
- Drive Innovation for Human Capability: Technological growth should expand—not limit—human potential.
- Invest in Inclusive Systems: Prioritize universal access to:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Social Protection (like pensions, maternity benefits, etc.)
🧾 Conclusion
The HDI is not just a score—it’s a mirror reflecting the quality of life in a country. India’s steady climb in HDI shows progress, but also points toward unfinished tasks, especially in reducing inequality and leveraging technology equitably.