Nepal ranks 138 in Human Development Index

Nepal with the life expectancy of 67.5 years and GNI per capita at 1,200.788 (PPP) ranks 138 in the global Human Development Index (HDI).
Of the total 169 cvountries, oil-rich Norway -- with its 81.0 years of life expectancy, average annual income of $58,810 and 12.6 years of schooling -- has topped the list for all but two years since 2001.
According to the report, the 20th edition of HDI aims to give a broader assessment of quality of life than just income -- by including, health, education, gender equality and political freedom -- and its lead writer Jeni Klugman said most of the world has seen 'dramatic progress' since 1970.
Average life expectancy rose from 59 to 70 years, primary school enrollment grew from 55 to 70 per cent, and per capita incomes doubled to more than $10,000. Many of thepoorest countries achieved some of the greatest gains,
The going only seems to get better in Norway which was named by the UN as the country with the best quality of life for a record-matching eighth time.
The country specific HDI reflects the country-specific priorities and problems and to be more sensitive to a country's level of development, the HDI appearing in the global HDRs can be tailored so that additional components are included in the calculation.
However, it is difficult to use the HDI to monitor changes in human development in the short-term because two of its components, namely life expectancy and adult literacy change slowly. "To address the limitation, components that are more sensitive to short-term changes could be added to the national HDI," said the UN.
Thus, the usefulness and versatility of the HDI as an analytical tool for HD at the national and sub-national levels would be enhanced if countries choose components that reflect their priorities and problems and are sensitive to their development levels, rather than rigidly using the three components presented in the HDI of the global HDRs.
The UN's annual A-to-Z of global wealth, poverty, health and education highlighted in its 20th anniversary edition though that despite 'growth surges' in the Asia-Pacific region, it is becoming ever more difficult to break into the rich club of nations.
Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Ireland took the following places in the top five. Zimbabwe came bottom of the 169 nations ranked, behind Mozambique,Burundi, Niger and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Zimbabwe, where in stark contrast life expectancy is just 47 years and per capita income of $176, has come bottom of the table for the past five years.
DR Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe have seen their HDI value fall below 1970 levels in the four decades since, said the study.
The nations which have risen most up the rankings in the 20 years that the report has been produced include 'growth miracles' such as China, which has risen eight places in the last five years to 89th, Indonesia and South Korea. But there is also Nepal, Oman and Tunisia 'where progress in the non-income dimensions of human development has been equally remarkable,' the study said.


Top 5
Norway
Australia
New Zealand
United States
Ireland
--
Bottom 5
Mozambique
Burundi
Niger
Congo
Democratic Republic of the Zimbabwe