Global Recognition: Bahrain in top tier of HDI ranking
BAHRAIN has been ranked in the top tier of a global report that assesses countries’ development.
It was placed fourth in the Arab region in the latest report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), putting Bahrain in the “very high human development” category.
The annual report, released in New York on Friday, also ranked Bahrain 43rd in the world on the index which takes into account several key indicators.
“Between 2012 and 2017, Bahrain’s global HDI (human development index) ranking has increased more than any other Arab country,” said UN Resident Co-ordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bahrain Amin El Sharkawi in a statement yesterday.
The index is a summary measure for assessing long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.
A long and healthy life is measured by life expectancy, knowledge level is measured by mean years of education among the adult population, and the standard of living is measured by gross national income (GNI) per capita.
The ‘Human Development Indices and Indicators: 2018 Statistical Update’ said the UAE topped the Arab region (34th in the world), followed by Qatar (37), Saudi Arabia (39), Bahrain (43), Oman (48) and Kuwait (56).
The 2018 Update presents HDI values for 189 countries and territories with the most recent data for 2017.
Of these countries, 59 are in the very high human development group, 53 in the high, 39 in the medium and only 38 in the low.
“Bahrain’s HDI (human development index) value for 2017 is 0.846 – which put the country in the very high human development category – positioning it at 43 out of 189 countries and territories,” said the report.
“Between 1990 and 2017, Bahrain’s HDI value increased from 0.746 to 0.846, an increase of 13.4 per cent.
“In the same period, Bahrain’s life expectancy at birth increased by 4.6 years, mean years of schooling increased by 3.4 years and expected years of schooling increased by 2.6 years.
“Bahrain’s GNI per capita increased by about 10.5pc between 1990 and 2017.”
In terms of the global ranking of HDI, between 2012 and 2017, Bahrain has increased by seven positions – which is more than any other Arab state.
The report recorded Bahrain’s life expectancy at birth as 77 years, adding that for every 100,000 live births, 15 women died from pregnancy-related causes.
Female participation in the labour market was put at 44pc compared to 87pc for men.
“The biggest contribution to these trends comes from consistent improvements in education, resulting from past and current investments in the education sector,” said Mr El Sharkawi.
“The fruitful collaboration between the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Derasat, under the leadership of Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and the UNDP in Bahrain has contributed to having international statistics used in UNDP’s Statistical Update accurately reflect Bahrain’s human development standing.
“Another product of this collaboration is the soon to be launched 2018 national Human Development Report for Bahrain.
“The promotion of global and national actions geared towards adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals is likely to improve human development trends.”
The report said the Arab region has seen a 25.5pc increase in its HDI value since 1990.
“The Arab states lose 25pc of overall HDI value when adjusted for inequalities,” it added.
“The region also has the second largest gender gap across all developing regions measured by the Gender Development Index (14.5pc gap between men and women in the HDI).
“Women’s labour force participation rate is the lowest among developing regions at 21pc.”
Globally, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland and Germany lead the HDI ranking among 189 countries and territories, while Niger, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Chad and Burundi had the lowest scores.
However, the report said worldwide the trend was towards improvements in human development, with many countries moving up in the categories: 58 countries were placed in the very high human development group with only 38 countries falling in the “low human development” group.
Just eight years ago, in 2010, the figures were 46 and 49 countries, respectively.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/391720/Global-Recognition-Bahrain-in-top-tier-of-HDI-ranking
