Why in the news
UNDP’s Human Development Report 2025 centred on artificial intelligence. India climbed three places to 130th, but inequality and gender gaps held it back.
Global highlights
- Human development progress is the slowest since 1990 (pandemic years excluded).
- Top: Iceland (0.972); bottom: South Sudan (0.388).
- The gap between high and low HDI countries is widening.
- About 1 in 5 people use AI tools; around 60% expect new opportunities, about 50% fear job loss.
Global leaders (2023)
| Rank | Country | HDI |
|---|
| 1 | Iceland | 0.972 |
| 2 (tie) | Norway, Switzerland | 0.970 |
| 4 | Denmark | 0.962 |
| 5 (tie) | Germany, Sweden | 0.959 |
| 7 | Australia | 0.958 |
| 8 (tie) | Hong Kong (China SAR), Netherlands | 0.955 |
| 17 | United States | 0.938 |
India at a glance
- HDI 0.685; rank 130, level with Bangladesh, above Nepal (145) and Pakistan (168).
- Band: Medium Human Development, close to the 0.700 “high” mark.
- IHDI 0.475, a loss of about 30.7%.
- GDI 0.874 (male 0.722, female 0.631); GII rank 102, score 0.403.
- Highest self-reported AI skill penetration; 20% of Indian AI researchers stay home, versus 0% in 2019.
Progress since 1990
| Indicator | 1990 | 2023 |
|---|
| Life expectancy | 58.6 years | 72 years |
| Expected schooling | 8.2 years | 13 years |
| GNI per capita (PPP) | $2,167 | $9,046 |
- Gains tied to Ayushman Bharat, NHM, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Poshan Abhiyaan, RTE Act, NEP 2020 and Samagra Shiksha.
- 135 million people escaped multidimensional poverty in 2015-2021.
AI and development
- Google estimate: ₹33.8 lakh crore GDP boost by 2030.
- Uses in diagnostics, telemedicine, adaptive learning and AI tutors.
- Governance tools: RBI’s MuleHunter.AI and Bhashini.
Concerns
- Inequality loss of 30.7%, among the highest in the region.
- Female labour force participation 41.7%; low political representation, though the 106th Constitutional Amendment promises one-third reservation.
Way forward
- Gender: implement reservation; widen Mudra, Stand-Up India and digital skilling; crèches and STEM schemes; stronger Nirbhaya Fund and One Stop Centres.
- Income: MGNREGA, PMEGP, Jan Dhan, land reform, SDG 10, CSR.
- Health and education: universal healthcare, nutrition, teacher training, EdTech.
- AI: ethical, inclusive governance and green skilling.
About HDR and HDI
- HDR is UNDP’s yearly flagship, issued since 1990.
- HDI blends health (life expectancy), education (expected and mean schooling) and income (GNI per capita, PPP).
Exam angle
- Publisher: UNDP; India rank 130 of 193.
- Related indices: IHDI, GDI, GII.