The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical indicator used by the United Nations to review the level of development of countries, and according to the latest review, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been included in the group of countries with a very high HDI for the first time.
According to the review published by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), which refers to the year 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been classified as a highly developed country for the first time, as the 74th country in terms of development measured on the basis of the HDI. A total of 193 countries and territories are subject to research.
The HDI of Bosnia and Herzegovina was 0.804, while for example the HDI of Iceland, which is in first place, is 0.972.
In the previous report for 2022, the HDI of Bosnia and Herzegovina was 0.799, which classified BiH as a developed country.
What is the HDI?
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistically composite index of life expectancy, education (average years of completed schooling and expected years of schooling upon entry into the education system), and per capita income indicators, which is used to rank countries in four levels of human development.
A country achieves a higher HDI level when life expectancy is longer, education is higher, and gross national income (PPP) per capita is higher.
Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq created the HDI in 1990, which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has used to measure a country’s development.
“The HDI value of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2023 is 0.804, which places the country in the very high human development category, ranking it 74th out of 193 countries and territories,” states UNDP.
Between 2000 and 2023, the HDI value of Bosnia and Herzegovina changed from 0.674 to 0.804, a change of 19.3 percent.
Life expectancy at birth in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023 was 77.85 years, expected years of schooling 13.16 years, and average years of schooling 10.97 years. The gross national income per inhabitant was 19,827 dollars.
Between 2000 and 2023, life expectancy at birth in Bosnia and Herzegovina changed by 2.56 years, expected time spent in school changed by 1.88 years, and average time spent in school changed by 4.36 years.
The gross national income per capita of Bosnia and Herzegovina changed by approx 129.9 percent between 2000 and 2023.
Comparison with Europe and the region
Among the top 10 countries and territories by HDI, eight are from Europe. In first place is the previously mentioned Iceland with an index of 0.972, followed by Norway and Switzerland with an index of 0.970, followed by Denmark with 0.962, and Sweden and Germany with an index of 0.958. From Europe, the top 10 also includes the Netherlands with an index of 0.955 and Belgium with 0.951.
From the region, Croatia is in 41st place by HDI with an index of 0.889, Montenegro is 48th with an index of 0.862, Serbia is 62nd with an index of 0.833, North Macedonia is 68th with an index of 0.815, and Albania is 71st with an index of 0.810.
What is encouraging for Bosnia and Herzegovina is is that it had the highest percentage growth. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s HDI growth was 0.68 percent, while Albania had a growth of 0.25 percent, North Macedonia 0.21 percent, Serbia 0.39 percent, Montenegro 0.38 percent, and Croatia 0.53 percent, Klix.ba writes.
