Human Development Index 1998
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
Sweden - #3
United States - #4
Iceland - #5
Netherlands - #6
Australia - #7
Germany - #8
Belgium - #9
Switzerland - #10
Japan
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
Sierra Leone - #144
Rwanda - #143
Djibouti - #142
Central African Republic - #141
Afghanistan - #140
Guinea
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Insights by country
Gabon
In 1998, Gabon achieved a Human Development Index of 0.654, ranking #83 out of 149 countries. This score positioned Gabon above the global average but lower than many of its regional peers, reflecting a mixed development landscape. The country's wealth in natural resources, particularly oil, has driven economic growth, yet disparities in wealth distribution and social services have hindered broader human development progress.
Bahamas
In 1998, the Bahamas achieved a Human Development Index of 0.777, ranking #35 out of 149 countries. This places the Bahamas above the regional average for the Caribbean, indicating a relatively high level of human development compared to many of its neighbors. Key factors contributing to this index include the Bahamas' strong tourism sector, which drives economic growth, and its relatively high literacy rates, which enhance overall quality of life.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka achieved a Human Development Index of 0.685 in 1998, ranking #65 out of 149 countries. This score positioned Sri Lanka above the regional average for South Asia, reflecting its relatively high literacy rates and healthcare access compared to its neighbors. Key factors contributing to this performance include a strong emphasis on education and social welfare policies that have historically prioritized health and education outcomes.
Bangladesh
In 1998, Bangladesh had a Human Development Index of 0.459, ranking #121 out of 149 countries. This figure was significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in health, education, and income levels. Key drivers of this low ranking included a high population density, limited access to quality healthcare, and ongoing socio-economic struggles that hindered development efforts.
China
In 1998, China had a Human Development Index of 0.576, ranking #103 out of 149 countries. This positioned China below many of its regional peers, reflecting significant developmental challenges at the time. Key drivers of this index included rapid urbanization and economic reforms that began in the late 1970s, which, while spurring growth, also led to regional disparities and social inequalities in access to education and healthcare.
South Africa
In 1998, South Africa had a Human Development Index of 0.634, ranking #90 out of 149 countries. This score was below the regional average for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting significant developmental challenges. Key factors influencing this index included high levels of inequality, a legacy of apartheid affecting education and health access, and economic instability during the transition to a democratic government.
Belarus
In 1998, Belarus achieved a Human Development Index of 0.709, ranking #57 out of 149 countries. This index value positioned Belarus above the global average, reflecting its relative development compared to lower-ranked nations. Key drivers of this performance included a strong emphasis on education and healthcare, which contributed to higher life expectancy and literacy rates in the country.
Bahrain
In 1998, Bahrain achieved a Human Development Index of 0.754, ranking #44 out of 149 countries. This performance was notably higher than the average for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, reflecting Bahrain's advanced social services and economic diversification. Key drivers of this index include its relatively high income levels from oil revenues, alongside investments in education and healthcare that have significantly improved living standards.
Belgium
In 1998, Belgium achieved a Human Development Index of 0.886, ranking #8 out of 149 countries. This placed Belgium above the global average, reflecting its strong performance in health, education, and income. Key drivers of this high ranking include Belgium's robust economy, characterized by a diverse industrial base and high standard of living, as well as comprehensive social policies that support education and healthcare access.
Guyana
In 1998, Guyana had a Human Development Index of 0.557, ranking #106 out of 149 countries. This value was below the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting significant developmental challenges. Contributing factors included a struggling economy heavily reliant on agriculture and mining, alongside political instability that hindered social progress and investment in human capital.
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, 1998. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/fact/human-development-index/1998
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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