‘Record high’ in UN development index masks stark disparities.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) warns in its report that while many countries are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the poorest nations are not experiencing the same level of improvement and are facing deteriorating conditions. The Human Development Index, which measures key aspects of human development, is projected to reach record highs in 2023 after experiencing steep declines in 2020 and 2021. However, development in half of the world's poorest countries remains below 2019 levels. The report highlights the concentration of economic wealth, with almost 40% of global trade in goods concentrated in three or fewer countries, and calls for increased spending on global public goods that benefit all, including efforts to combat climate change, harness new technologies, and improve the global financial system to benefit low-income countries.

March 13, 2024
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