Top 15 Countries with a High Human Development Index (HDI)

Top 15 Countries with a High Human Development Index (HDI) – The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. A country scores a higher HDI when the lifespan, education level, and GDP per capita increase. The HDI was developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1990 to emphasize that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not just economic growth alone.Top 15 Countries with a High Human Development Index (HDI)

Below are the top 15 countries with the highest HDI scores according to the latest UNDP Human Development Report published in 2020 that provided HDI ranking and scores for 189 countries for the year 2019.

The Top 15 Countries with a High Human Development Index (HDI) Are:

1. Norway

Norway topped the UNDP HDI rankings for 2019 with a score of 0.954. It has a GDP per capita of $68,012 and a life expectancy of 82.3 years. Education is free for all Norwegians and the adult literacy rate is 100%. Norway has vast oil resources in the North Sea and diamonds which contribute greatly to its prosperity. The welfare state is highly developed in Norway with universal healthcare and high social security. Its mixed economy also provides economic stability. Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. It is not a member of the European Union.

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2. Switzerland

Switzerland was ranked 2nd on the HDI with an HDI score of 0.946. It has a life expectancy of 83.6 years and a GDP per capita of $59,561. The adult literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 99.6%. Switzerland has a federal system with strong local government and direct democracy. It has an export-oriented industrial economy as well as a highly developed service sector led by banking and insurance. Switzerland is known for its neutrality on defense and has abstained from joining supranational bodies like the EU and UN.

3. Ireland

Ireland was ranked 3rd on the HDI rankings with a score of 0.942. It has a GDP per capita of $55,446 and a life expectancy of 82.2 years. The education enrollment is 97.1% and the literacy rate is 99%. Ireland has a knowledge-based economy focused on services and high-tech industries. Agriculture, once dominant in its economy, is now a small sector. Ireland has increased its standard of living in recent decades to become one of the wealthiest countries in the EU. Ireland has been a member of the EU since 1973.Informationguidenigeria

4. Germany

Germany was ranked 4th on the HDI with a score of 0.939, sharing its rank with Hong Kong. Germany has a GDP per capita of $46,258 and a life expectancy of 81.2 years. The education enrollment rate is 94% and the literacy rate is 99%. Germany has the largest national economy in Europe with a highly skilled workforce, a large capital stock, and high productivity. Germany is known for its manufacturing of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment. Germany has a social market economy combining free enterprise with regulation and social welfare. It is a founding member of the EU.

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5. Hong Kong

Hong Kong was ranked 4th on the HDI rankings along with Germany, with an HDI score of 0.939. It has a GDP per capita of $46,194 and a life expectancy of 84.7 years. The adult literacy rate is 97.7% and education enrollment is 87%. Hong Kong has a highly developed free-market economy and is dependent on international trade and finance. Although its economy is dominated by services, it has a substantial manufacturing base. Hong Kong is a leading center for trade, investment, and tourism in Asia. It is a special administrative region of China.

6. Australia

Australia ranked 6th on the HDI with a score of 0.938. It has a GDP per capita of $43,560 and a life expectancy of 83.3 years. The adult literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 102.5%. Australia has a prosperous free-market economy with high per capita incomes. Its natural resources enrich the economy with mining and agricultural exports. Australia also has a sizable manufacturing sector and a growing services sector. Australia is a constitutional democracy with a federal division of power.NYSC Portal

7. Iceland

Iceland was ranked 7th on the HDI rankings with an HDI score of 0.935. Iceland has the fourth highest GDP per capita of $39,057 and a life expectancy of 82.9 years. Education enrollment is 98% and adult literacy is 99%. Iceland has a mixed economy with inclusive social policies and a high standard of living. Sustainable energy and tourism are key parts of its economy. Iceland was severely impacted by the 2008 global financial crisis but has since recovered with economic growth. Iceland is not a member of the EU but is a part of the Schengen Area.

8. Sweden

Sweden ranked 8th on the HDI with a score of 0.934. It has a life expectancy of 82.6 years and a GDP per capita of $43,165. The adult literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 94.8%. Sweden has an export-oriented economy largely based on timber, hydropower, and iron ore. The Swedish model of capitalism has free markets combined with social equality and a comprehensive welfare state. Sweden has high taxes to fund its social programs. Healthcare, education and childcare are largely subsidized with tuition-free universities. Sweden is a member of the EU but not the Eurozone.

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9. Singapore

Singapore ranked 9th on the HDI with an HDI score of 0.932. It has the 3rd highest GDP per capita in the world at $58,483. Life expectancy is 84.8 years. The literacy rate is 97.1% and education enrollment is 87%. Singapore has a highly developed market economy known as one of the freest, most innovative, and competitive. It has an open business environment with stable prices and low unemployment. Singapore’s diversified economy depends heavily on exports and refining imported goods. Singapore is a parliamentary republic with a Westminster system.JAMB Result

10. Netherlands

The Netherlands ranked 10th on the HDI with an HDI score of 0.931. It has a GDP per capita of $46,684 and a life expectancy of 82.1 years. The literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 94.7%. It has a modern, private enterprise economy as well as an extensive welfare state. The Netherlands is a founding member of the EU and was one of the first eurozone countries to meet the EU economic convergence criteria. Its main economic pillars are trade, business services, manufacturing, and energy. Offshore gas reserves discovered in the 90s have boosted national incomes.

11. Denmark

Denmark ranked 11th on the HDI rankings with an HDI score of 0.93. Denmark has the world’s highest social mobility and high equality. It has a GDP per capita of $44,643 and a life expectancy of 81.3 years. The adult literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 87.4%. Denmark has a mixed economy which is largely based on private enterprise but with several welfare provisions like healthcare, education, and protection for the elderly. Denmark’s economy relies heavily on foreign trade with processed foods and pharmaceuticals among top exports. Denmark is a member of the EU but not the Eurozone.Romantic Love Messages

12. Finland

Finland ranked 12th on the HDI with an HDI score of 0.92. It has a GDP per capita of $41,315 and a life expectancy of 81.7 years. The literacy rate is 100% and education enrollment is 86.8%. Finland has a highly industrialized free-market economy that combines extensive welfare benefits with private enterprise. Its key economic sectors are services, manufacturing, and refining. Top exports include electronics, machinery, vehicles and other engineered metal products. Finland has high education levels and equality. It is a member of the EU and uses the Euro currency.

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13. New Zealand

New Zealand ranked 13th on the HDI with an HDI score of 0.921. It has a life expectancy of 82.3 years and a GDP per capita of $31,764. The adult literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 98.1%. New Zealand has a modern and prosperous free market economy that depends heavily on trade, particularly in agricultural products. It underwent major economic changes in the 1980s that transformed it from a protectionist economy to an open market economy. Tourism also makes up a major part of New Zealand’s economy. New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.Good morning My Love Message

14. Canada

Canada ranked 14th on the HDI with an HDI score of 0.92. It has a GDP per capita of $39,847 and a life expectancy of 82.1 years. The literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 99.7%. Canada has a highly developed mixed economy with expansive oil resources and free-market policies. It has the world’s tenth highest GDP by nominal per capita. Canada has a diversified economy reliant on trade, particularly with the US. It is an affluent nation with high levels of human development, education, economic freedom and quality of life. Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.

15. United States

The United States ranked 15th on the HDI rankings with an HDI score of 0.92. It has the highest GDP per capita in the world at $55,351 and a life expectancy of 78.9 years. The literacy rate is 99% and education enrollment is 93.1%. The US has a capitalist mixed economy and an abundance of natural resources. It has the world’s largest economy by nominal GDP and net wealth. The US is the world’s largest importer and the second largest exporter. Its major exports include technology, agricultural products, entertainment and aerospace. The US is a federal constitutional republic with a two-party political system.

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Conclusion

The top 15 countries on the UNDP’s HDI rankings are leaders in human development with very high education, life expectancy, and income indicators. These countries score highest on the HDI for providing their citizens with the conditions necessary to lead fulfilling lives with health, knowledge and decent standards of living. Their combination of economic prosperity, social services, and human capital allows them to achieve the highest levels of human development.

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