Human Development Index

World map indicating the Human Development Index by Quartiles (based on 2010 data, published on November 4, 2010)^[9]

Very High   High   Medium

Low   data unavailable

Main articles: Human Development Index and List of countries by Human Development Index

The UN HDI is a statistical measure that gauges a country's level of human development. While there is a strong correlation between having a high HDI score and a prosperous economy, the UN points out that the HDI accounts for more than income or productivity. Unlike GDP per capita or per capita income, the HDI takes into account how income is turned "into education and health opportunities and therefore into higher levels of human development."

Since 1980, Norway (2001–2006, 2009 and 2010), Japan (1990–91 and 1993), Canada (1992 and 1994–2000) and Iceland(2007–08) have had the highest HDI score. The top 42 countries have scores ranging from 0.788 in Barbados to 0.938 inNorway.

Many countries listed by IMF or^[10] CIA as "advanced" (as of 2009), possess an HDI over 0.788 (as of 2010). Many countries^[11] possessing an HDI of 0.788 and over (as of 2010), are also listed by IMF or CIA as "advanced" (as of 2009). Thus, many "advanced economies" (as of 2009) are characterized by an HDI score of 0.9 or higher (as of 2007).

The latest index was released on November 4, 2010 and covers the period up to 2008. The following are the 42 countries classified as possessing a "Very high human development" with an HDI at or above 0.788 and are considered as "developed countries".^[12]