News: Switzerland ranks 11th in global human development

According to the annual report of the United Nations Human Development Programme (UNDP) published today, Switzerland ranks eleventh on the list of 187 countries included in the study.

Norway took first place, followed by Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The top 10 countries on this list include New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Sweden. Just behind Switzerland are Japan, Hong Kong, Iceland, and South Korea.

Among European countries, Denmark ranked 16th, Austria 19th, France 20th, Spain 23rd, Italy 24th, the United Kingdom 28th, Greece 29th and Portugal 41st. The last 28 countries on this list are African states (with the exception of Afghanistan 172nd).

Three basic indicators

As it does every year, the UNDP bases its study on three main indicators: life expectancy at birth, the length of schooling, and per capita income. If Switzerland does not appear among the top ten countries again this year, the reason is the lower length of schooling of its inhabitants. According to the publication's director, Jeni Klugman, "the differences are minimal between the countries at the top of the ranking."

A positive development

Over the past five years, 72 countries have improved their rankings: Cuba, which has moved up 10 places, Venezuela and Tanzania, 7 places, China, 6 places, and the Netherlands, 5 places. Switzerland, meanwhile, has moved up one place since 2006. However, 72 countries have not performed well in terms of human development. For example, Iceland, Ireland, and Italy have fallen three places, Greece, 5 places, and the United States, one place.