HDI index of Nepal improves slightly

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Human Development Index (HDI) improved slightly to 0.587 in 2019 against the index of 0.579 in 2018, as per the Nepal Human Development Report 2020 unveiled by the National Planning Commission on Sunday.

Despite negligible growth in the HDI index, Nepal still has failed to attain better growth in the per capita income, affecting the country’s plan to get promoted from the least developed country status.

While the report commends Nepal for the progress in HDI in recent years, it warns that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could affect these achievements if Nepal fails to effectively sustain these achievements.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the report, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said the report provides government a roadmap for development and shaping new policies for future development.