Nepal shows steady progress in human development index, climbs three positions

KATHMANDU: In a recent report released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Nepal’s Human Development Index (HDI) witnessed a notable rise, reaching 0.601 in 2023. This marks an increase of 0.010 points from its 2021 HDI. The report, unveiled on Thursday, underscores Nepal’s ascent of three positions in the HDI ranking during the review period.

As of the latest findings, Nepal now holds the 146th spot out of 193 countries and territories in the HDI ranking. This advancement propels the nation into the Medium human development category, signifying significant strides from its previous position at 149th in 2021.

Countries falling within the HDI range of 0.550 to 0.699 are categorized under Medium Human Development, and Nepal’s inclusion in this bracket underscores its evolving developmental landscape.

Comparatively, Nepal’s progress in HDI value outstrips the global average, with a 0.010 increase, compared to the global average of 0.004. Over the period spanning from 1990 to 2022, Nepal’s HDI value witnessed a substantial surge from 0.395 to 0.601, marking a remarkable 52.2 percent change.

Delving deeper into the gender dimension, the report highlights disparities in HDI values between genders. While the 2022 female HDI value for Nepal stands at 0.562, male HDI registers a higher figure at 0.635, resulting in a Gender Development Index (GDI) value of 0.885.

The report also sheds light on key indicators of development progress in Nepal over the past three decades. Between 1990 and 2022, the nation’s life expectancy at birth surged by 15.7 years, while expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling witnessed increases of 5.4 years and 2.1 years, respectively.

Furthermore, Nepal’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita demonstrated a substantial rise of about 165.7 percent during the same period, underscoring the nation’s economic growth alongside advancements in human development.

Nepal’s steady ascent in the HDI rankings not only underscores its commitment to fostering inclusive development but also underscores the nation’s resilience in the face of multifaceted challenges, positioning it on a trajectory of sustainable progress and prosperity.