Nepal’s ranking in the 2019 human development index improved two spots to 147 compared to last year, according to a report published by the United Nations Development Programme today. The ranking is out of 189 countries.

As per UNDP’s Human Development Report, Nepal acquired 0.579 HDI rating in 2018, thereby placing the country in the medium human development category.

The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed the steepest rise globally in human development. It leads the world in access to broadband internet and is gaining on more developed regions in life expectancy, education and access to health care. Yet, it continues to grapple with widespread multi-dimensional poverty, and may be vulnerable to a new set of inequalities emerging around higher education and climate resilience,” reads the UNDP report.

The HDI measures average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development — life expectancy, education, and per capita income.

India ranked 129 out of 189 countries on the 2019 HDI — up one slot from its 130th position last year.

Norway, Switzerland, and Ireland occupied the top three positions in that order. Germany is placed fourth along with Hong Kong, and Australia secured the fifth spot on the global ranking of human development.

In Asia, Sri Lanka and China are higher up the rank scale, placing at 71 and 84 respectively, while others were positioned lower on the list with Bhutan at 134, Myanmar at 145, Bangladesh at 135  at 147, Pakistan at 152 and Afghanistan at 170.