Human Development: We've Still Got It Pretty Good

Image source: hdr.undp.org

The United Nations released its annual Human Development Report on November 4th. The report showcases the human development index, which ranks countries along three dimensions: health, education, and living standards. The HDI is not without critics, but it is broadly referenced and discussed because it represents a thoughtful, empirical attempt to analyze and compare human welfare among countries using a broader measure than income alone. In this year's index, Norway was the top performer, followed by Australia and New Zealand.

Times are hard for many Americans, and I share the concerns voiced by many about the future of our country. But I do take a bit of comfort in the HDR's suggestion that the US is still among the best places in the world to be a human being.