Why in the news
UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Index put India 130th out of 193, with a better score and a nearer approach to the high-development cut-off of 0.700.
Key facts
- Score: 0.685 in 2023 versus 0.676 in 2022; still medium human development.
- Growth of over 53% since 1990, ahead of global and South Asian averages.
- Drivers: higher per-capita income, more mean years of schooling, life expectancy at its highest since HDI began.
- UNDP India credited post-pandemic recovery and long-term investment in well-being.
India versus neighbours (2025 rank)
| Country | Rank |
|---|
| China | 75 |
| Sri Lanka | 78 |
| Bhutan | 127 |
| India | 130 |
| Bangladesh | 130 (tied) |
| Nepal | 145 |
| Myanmar | 149 |
| Pakistan | 168 |
Top of the index (2023 values)
| Rank | Country | HDI |
|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 0.972 |
| 2 | Norway, Switzerland | 0.970 |
| 4 | Denmark | 0.962 |
| 5 | Germany, Sweden | 0.959 |
| 17 | United States | 0.938 |
HDI dimensions
- Life expectancy, education (mean and expected years of schooling) and standard of living (GNI per capita), merged into a 0-1 value.
Concerns
- Income and gender gaps remain sharp, though health and education inequality has eased.
- Female labour force participation and political representation are low; the one-third legislative seat reservation for women offers hope.
Exam angle
- Issuer: UNDP; high-development threshold: 0.700 or above.
- Neighbour ranks: Pakistan 168, Nepal 145, Bhutan 127.