Human Development Index 1991
The Human Development Index combines indicators of health, education, and income to assess development levels.
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Complete Data Rankings
- #1
United States - #2
Australia - #3
Canada - #4
Norway - #5
Netherlands - #6
Switzerland - #7
Japan - #8
Iceland - #9
Denmark - #10
Germany
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #141
Niger - #140
Mali - #139
Mozambique - #138
Guinea - #137
Afghanistan - #136
Burundi - #135
Sierra Leone - #134
Malawi - #133
Central African Republic - #132
Gambia
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Insights by country
China
In 1991, China had a Human Development Index of 0.499, ranking #105 out of 141 countries. This placed China below many of its regional neighbors, reflecting significant challenges in health, education, and income. The country's economic reforms had just begun, leading to gradual improvements, but widespread poverty and limited access to quality education and healthcare were still prevalent during this period.
Dominican Republic
In 1991, the Dominican Republic achieved a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.594, ranking #85 out of 141 countries. This value was lower than the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean, indicating challenges in human development relative to its neighbors. Key factors influencing this HDI included economic disparities, with a reliance on agriculture and tourism, as well as social issues such as access to education and healthcare.
Myanmar
In 1991, Myanmar had a Human Development Index of 0.354, ranking #130 out of 141 countries. This value placed Myanmar below many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, reflecting significant challenges in development. Contributing factors included prolonged political instability, economic mismanagement, and limited access to education and healthcare services, which hindered overall human development progress.
Lesotho
In 1991, Lesotho had a Human Development Index of 0.482, ranking #108 out of 141 countries. This figure positioned Lesotho below the regional average for Southern Africa, reflecting significant challenges in health, education, and income. Key drivers of this low ranking included a high prevalence of poverty and limited access to quality healthcare, exacerbated by its landlocked geography and reliance on agriculture. Additionally, political instability during this period hindered effective policy implementation and economic growth.
Belize
In 1991, Belize achieved a Human Development Index of 0.626, ranking #79 out of 141 countries. This places Belize above the global average, but lower than many of its Central American neighbors. Key drivers of this index include Belize's relatively high literacy rates and access to education, although challenges such as economic dependency on tourism and limited infrastructure have hindered further development.
Haiti
In 1991, Haiti had a Human Development Index of 0.464, ranking #109 out of 141 countries. This figure reflects a significant gap compared to regional averages in the Caribbean, where many nations had higher development indices. Contributing factors to Haiti's low ranking included persistent political instability, economic challenges, and limited access to education and healthcare services.
Iceland
Iceland achieved a Human Development Index of 0.853 in 1991, ranking #8 out of 141 countries. This score placed Iceland well above the global average, reflecting its high standard of living compared to many nations. Key drivers of this performance include its robust economy, largely supported by fishing and renewable energy, as well as a strong emphasis on education and healthcare policies that promote social welfare.
Kazakhstan
In 1991, Kazakhstan achieved a Human Development Index of 0.683, ranking #54 out of 141 countries. This positioned Kazakhstan above many of its regional peers, reflecting a relatively high level of human development for a Central Asian nation. Key factors contributing to this index included the country's rich natural resources, particularly in energy, and a relatively educated population stemming from its Soviet legacy.
Italy
In 1991, Italy achieved a Human Development Index of 0.792, ranking #20 out of 141 countries. This score placed Italy above the global average, reflecting its strong social and economic structures compared to many nations. Key drivers of this high index included Italy's robust healthcare system and high levels of education, which contributed to improved quality of life and longevity among its citizens.
Fiji
In 1991, Fiji achieved a Human Development Index of 0.633, ranking #74 out of 141 countries. This score reflects a relatively moderate level of human development, particularly when compared to neighboring countries like Samoa, which had a higher index. Key drivers for Fiji's ranking include its tourism-dependent economy, which provides employment opportunities, and challenges such as political instability that can hinder consistent development efforts.
Data Source
Human Development Index | UNDP, Human Development Report via Our World in Data
Data produced by UNDP, Human Development Report, compiled and published by Our World in Data as "Human Development Index".
Visit Data SourceCite this page
Geo Factbook. (n.d.). Human Development Index by Country, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/fact/human-development-index/1991
The figures on this page come from Human Development Index | UNDP, Human Development Report via Our World in Data. For academic work, cite the original source as well.
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