Question

Identify the correct statement(s) concerning the top-ranked countries in the 2025 Human Development Index.

1. Iceland achieved the top rank in the 2025 HDI with an HDI value of 0.972.
2. Norway and Switzerland followed Iceland as the second and third top-ranked countries, respectively.
3. The United States was ranked among the top three countries in the 2025 HDI.

• A. 2
• B. 1, 3
• C. 1, 2
• D. 1

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 1, 2

Understanding the Human Development Index (HDI)

• The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistical tool developed and published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

• It measures a country's average achievements in three basic dimensions of human development:

• A long and healthy life, measured by life expectancy at birth.

• Knowledge, measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling.

• A decent standard of living, measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP $).

• The primary purpose of the HDI is to emphasize that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not just economic growth.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams

• The HDI was first launched in 1990 by the Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, with significant contributions from the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

• It shifts the focus from a purely economic measure of development, like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to a more holistic, people-centered approach.

• Countries are classified into four broad categories based on their HDI score: very high, high, medium, and low human development.

• Norway has historically been one of the most frequent top-ranked countries in the HDI, consistently demonstrating high levels of human development.

• The UNDP also publishes other important indices alongside the HDI, which are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of human development:

• The Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)

• The Gender Inequality Index (GII)

• The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

2025 Human Development Index Top Rankings (as per the question's context)

• According to the hypothetical 2025 HDI data provided in the question, Iceland achieved the top rank with an HDI value of 0.972. Iceland consistently ranks high due to its strong social welfare, high life expectancy, and excellent educational outcomes.

• Norway secured the second position in the 2025 HDI. Norway's continued high ranking is attributed to its robust social policies, universal healthcare, and high educational attainment.

• Switzerland was ranked as the third top country in the 2025 HDI. Switzerland frequently appears in the top tier due to its high living standards, strong economy, and advanced healthcare and education systems.

• The United States, while classified under 'very high human development', typically does not feature among the top three countries in the HDI rankings. This is often due to internal disparities in income, healthcare access, and educational outcomes, despite its high GNI per capita.