Human Development Index 1996
The Human Development Index combines indicators of health, education, and income to assess development levels.
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Complete Data Rankings
- #1
Norway - #2
Netherlands - #3
United States - #4
Australia - #5
Canada - #6
Belgium - #7
Japan - #8
Sweden - #9
Germany - #10
Switzerland
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #149
Niger - #148
Mozambique - #147
Mali - #146
Burundi - #145
Rwanda - #144
Sierra Leone - #143
Djibouti - #142
Guinea - #141
Central African Republic - #140
Afghanistan
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Insights by country
Uruguay
In 1996, Uruguay achieved a Human Development Index of 0.736, ranking #45 out of 149 countries. This placed Uruguay above the regional average for Latin America, reflecting its relative stability compared to neighboring countries. Key drivers of this ranking included Uruguay's strong social policies, high literacy rates, and a robust welfare system that contributed to overall quality of life.
Sweden
In 1996, Sweden achieved a Human Development Index of 0.877, ranking #8 out of 149 countries. This score places Sweden well above the global average, reflecting its strong social welfare systems and high standards of living. Key drivers of this high ranking include a robust economy characterized by innovation and a comprehensive education system that promotes equality and access for all citizens.
Mexico
In 1996, Mexico achieved a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.687, ranking #62 out of 149 countries. This score was below the Latin American average, indicating challenges in social and economic development compared to its regional peers. Key drivers of this HDI included significant income inequality and varying access to education and healthcare across different states, which hindered overall human development progress.
Switzerland
In 1996, Switzerland achieved a Human Development Index of 0.875, ranking #10 out of 149 countries. This score places Switzerland among the highest globally, reflecting its robust economy and high standard of living compared to many nations. Key drivers of this high ranking include a strong healthcare system and a highly skilled workforce, supported by a stable political environment and a commitment to innovation.
Saint Lucia
In 1996, Saint Lucia achieved a Human Development Index of 0.701, ranking #56 out of 149 countries. This value reflects a relatively high standard of living compared to many nations in the Caribbean, but it still falls short of the top-ranked countries like Norway. Key drivers of this index include Saint Lucia's focus on tourism and services, which significantly contributes to its economic stability, alongside investments in education and healthcare that enhance overall quality of life.
Senegal
In 1996, Senegal ranked #135 globally with a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.385. This placed Senegal below the regional average for West Africa, indicating significant developmental challenges compared to its neighbors. Contributing factors to this low HDI include limited access to education and healthcare, alongside economic constraints exacerbated by reliance on agriculture and fishing. Moreover, political instability during this period hindered effective policy implementation and development efforts.
Tunisia
In 1996, Tunisia achieved a Human Development Index of 0.616, ranking #91 out of 149 countries. This placed Tunisia above many of its regional peers, reflecting a relatively high standard of living compared to other North African nations. Key drivers of this index included improvements in education and health services, alongside economic reforms that aimed to diversify the economy and reduce unemployment.
Vietnam
In 1996, Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.567, ranking #102 out of 149 countries. This score placed Vietnam below many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, reflecting challenges in health, education, and income. Key drivers of this HDI value included the country's ongoing recovery from the impacts of war, economic reforms initiated in the late 1980s, and a young population with improving access to education and healthcare.
Samoa
In 1996, Samoa achieved a Human Development Index of 0.663, ranking #73 out of 149 countries. This score placed Samoa above the global average, indicating a relatively high standard of living compared to many other Pacific island nations. Key drivers of this index included Samoa's focus on education and healthcare, alongside its efforts to promote sustainable economic development through agriculture and tourism.
Russia
In 1996, Russia achieved a Human Development Index of 0.723, ranking #48 out of 149 countries. This value was notably lower than the global average, indicating challenges in health, education, and income levels during a period of significant transition post-Soviet Union. The economic turmoil, high inflation, and social upheaval of the 1990s significantly impacted living standards and access to essential services in Russia.
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, 1996. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/fact/human-development-index/1996
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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