The country with the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) in 2021 is Niger, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The HDI is a composite statistic that ranks countries based on three key dimensions of human development:
- Life expectancy at birth
- Mean years of schooling
- Gross national income per capita
Niger has a very low HDI score, reflecting the country's significant challenges in these areas:
- Low life expectancy: The average life expectancy in Niger is 62.2 years, which is significantly lower than the global average of 73.2 years.
- Limited access to education: Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, and many children do not complete primary school. The average years of schooling is just 3.9 years.
- Low income: Niger is a very poor country, with a low gross national income per capita. This means that the average person in Niger has very limited access to resources and opportunities.
The low HDI score in Niger is a reflection of the country's ongoing challenges with poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services.
