Posted on : Nov.10,2006 13:14 KST Modified on : Nov.11,2006 11:45 KST

S.K. jumps 2 spots on U.N. Human Development Index

The quality of life for South Koreans was 26th in the world, up two places from last year, according to a United Nations index.

According to the 2006 Human Development Index, announced by the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP) on November 9, South Korea was in 26th place with 0.912 points. Its average life expectancy was 77.3 years, its literacy rate was 98 percent and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was US$20,499.

The UNDP announces the Human Development Index every year after combining each nation’s average life span, level of education, literacy rate, and GDP. The index is meant to show the level of each country’s social and economic development; the nearer the score comes to one, the higher the "quality of life," as measured by the survey. This year’s Human Development Index was based on 2004 data from 177 of the world’s nations.

Norway was in the top position at 0.965, a place it has held for six consecutive years, followed by Iceland, Australia, Ireland, and Sweden. The United States was in 8th place. In Asia, Japan ranked 7th, down four spots from last year. Hong Kong was 22nd and Singapore came in 25th place. The Human Development Index was lowest in Niger, with an average life expectancy of 44.6 years and per capita GDP of US$779.

[englishhani@hani.co.kr]




  • 오피니언

multimedia

most viewed articles

hot issue